Burst \Burst\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Burst; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Bursting. The past participle bursten is obsolete.] [OE.
   bersten, bresten, AS. berstan (pers. sing. berste, imp. sing.
   b[ae]rst, imp. pl. burston, p. p. borsten); akin to D.
   bersten, G. bersten, OHG. brestan, OS. brestan, Icel. bresta,
   Sw. brista, Dan. briste. Cf. Brast, Break.]
   1. To fly apart or in pieces; of break open; to yield to
      force or pressure, especially to a sudden and violent
      exertion of force, or to pressure from within; to explode;
      as, the boiler had burst; the buds will burst in spring.
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            From the egg that soon
            Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed
            Their callow young.                   --Milton.
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   Note: Often used figuratively, as of the heart, in reference
         to a surcharge of passion, grief, desire, etc.
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               No, no, my heart will burst, an if I speak:
               And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To exert force or pressure by which something is made
      suddenly to give way; to break through obstacles or
      limitations; hence, to appear suddenly and unexpectedly or
      unaccountably, or to depart in such manner; -- usually
      with some qualifying adverb or preposition, as forth, out,
      away, into, upon, through, etc.
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            Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth. --Milton.
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            And now you burst (ah cruel!) from my arms. --Pope.
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            A resolved villain
            Whose bowels suddenly burst out.      --Shak.
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            We were the first that ever burst
            Into that silent sea.                 --Coleridge.
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            To burst upon him like an earthquake. --Goldsmith.
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