Verb

(en verb)

To violently eject.

The volcano erupted , spewing lava across a wide area.

(figuratively) To spontaneously release pressure or tension.

The crowd erupted in anger.

* :'>citation

And Stamford Bridge erupted with joy as Florent Malouda slotted in a cross from Drogba, who had stayed just onside.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01

, author=Michael Riordan , title=Tackling Infinity , volume=100, issue=1, page=86 , magazine= citation , passage=Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.}}

Verb

(transitive'' and ''intransitive )

to increase (something) in extent or intensity; to intensify or step up

Violence escalated during the election.

The shooting escalated the existing hostility.

in technical support, to transfer a telephone caller to the next higher level of authority

The tech 1 escalated the caller to a tech 2.