Middle English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Old English berstan, from Proto-West Germanic *brestan, from Proto-Germanic *brestaną; many forms are influenced by Old Norse bresta.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈbɛrstən/, /ˈbarstən/, /ˈburstən/
  • (metathetic) IPA(key): /ˈbrɛstən/, /ˈbristən/

Verb

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bresten

  1. To burst (break from internal pressure):
    1. To issue, rush or flow out.
    2. To change state suddenly.
  2. To break, shatter (become broken):
    1. To break, smash (cause to break)
    2. To defeat or vanquish; to shatter (an enemy)
  3. To be intensely afflicted with a feeling.
  4. To hurt or attack; to beat up.

Usage notes

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  • The conjugation of this verb is very variable; the forms shown are only a representative selection.

Conjugation

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Descendants

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  • English: burst, bust
  • Scots: brist, bryst

References

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Norwegian Nynorsk

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Noun

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bresten m

  1. singular definite of brest