Question

What are the things that can erupt ? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt.
Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge ?

Answer 1

Hint: The above question refers to the concept of Vocabulary. Vocabulary of any language is the body of words and phrases which are used for communication in that language. In order to answer vocabulary based questions, it is helpful to attach a picture with the word, for eg., an image of a volcano with the word ‘erupt’.

Complete answer:
Erupt is a word of Latin origin. The term erupt is derived from a verb ‘erumpere’ which means ‘to break out. Erupt is used for things like volcanoes, a sudden emotion, a disease, etc. Anything which begins all of a sudden, and often violently, is denoted by the word erupt.

The various meanings and usages of the word erupt are as follows -
1) When a volcano activates and starts throwing out molten lava and smoke
Eg. Mount Vesuvius was a dormant volcano and was considered safe until it erupted in 1944, thus destroying several towns and villages which were located at its slope.
2) Explode violently, often with loud noise and fire
Eg. It was a calm and sunny morning when out of nowhere, grenades erupted, destroying two houses.
3) Start suddenly and in a dramatic manner
Eg. The children were playing around in the recess and having lunch when fighting erupted between John and Edward.
4) Express powerful emotions suddenly and often with a loud noise
Eg. When Fatima screamed at Mary, she was trying very hard to control herself but ultimately she erupted into sobs.
5) To appear all of a sudden on the body
Eg. Acne erupted all over Lucy’s face just before her school’s farewell night.
6) Of a tooth, to suddenly emerge out of the gums
Eg. A permanent tooth erupted at the spot where Michael had lost his milk tooth at the age of seven.

Surge has its origins from the Old French word ‘sourgeon’, which itself has its derivations in the Latin word ‘surgere’. Both the French and Latin words refer to the process of rising or ‘to rise’. Surge is used for things which rise suddenly, such as price of a commodity, temperature, numbers, etc.

The various meanings and usages of the word surge are as follows:
1) Anything which moves forward or upward all of a sudden and generally with a strong push force.
Eg., As the winds grew stronger, the waves in the ocean surged dangerously.
2) A significant increase usually for a short period of time
Eg.Lately there has been a surge in the fuel prices.
3) Sending military forces to those areas where troops are already there so as to strengthen them.
Eg. A fresh battalion has been surged to the LOC as the battle with the neighbouring state ensued.
4) Feeling a strong emotion all of a sudden.
Eg. Sandra’s face reddened as she felt a surge of anger gushing through her

Note: In order to remember a word and its usage, it is always helpful to keep similar meaning words (or synonyms) in handy. For the above words, the synonyms of ‘erupt’ are blow out, eject, explode, etc. Similarly, the synonyms of ‘surge’ are to rise, flow, swell, etc.