(n.) A violent gust of wind.
(n.) A forcible stream of air from an orifice, as from a bellows,
the mouth, etc. Hence: The continuous blowing to which one charge of
ore or metal is subjected in a furnace; as, to melt so many tons of
iron at a blast.
(n.) The exhaust steam from and engine, driving a column of air
out of a boiler chimney, and thus creating an intense draught through
the fire; also, any draught produced by the blast.
(n.) The sound made by blowing a wind instrument; strictly, the
sound produces at one breath.
(n.) A sudden, pernicious effect, as if by a noxious wind,
especially on animals and plants; a blight.
(n.) The act of rending, or attempting to rend, heavy masses of
rock, earth, etc., by the explosion of gunpowder, dynamite, etc.; also,
the charge used for this purpose.
(n.) A flatulent disease of sheep.
(v. t.) To injure, as by a noxious wind; to cause to wither; to
stop or check the growth of, and prevent from fruit-bearing, by some
pernicious influence; to blight; to shrivel.
(v. t.) Hence, to affect with some sudden violence, plague,
calamity, or blighting influence, which destroys or causes to fail; to
visit with a curse; to curse; to ruin; as, to blast pride, hopes, or
character.
(v. t.) To confound by a loud blast or din.
(v. t.) To rend open by any explosive agent, as gunpowder,
dynamite, etc.; to shatter; as, to blast rocks.
(v. i.) To be blighted or withered; as, the bud blasted in the
blossom.
(v. i.) To blow; to blow on a trumpet.
