combustion

1. (chemistry) The act or process of burning.Synonyms: incineration, cremationcountableuncountable

2. (dated or archaicizing, figuratively) Violent agitation, tumult.Examples: "From this ground, with a kind of loose scorn, he continues the French Correspondence, and secretly contriveth a continuance of the Scotish Rebellion. He omits no Act of Contempt against the antient Nobility, that they might in the sence of their disgrace be, or at least dayly threaten some new Combustion."; "There [were] great combustions and divisions among the heads of the university."; "Him the Almighty Power / Hurld headlong flaming from th' Etherial Skie / With hideous Ruine and combustion down / To bottomless perdition, there to dwell / In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire, / Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms."countablefigurativelyuncountable