explosivenessn.
/ᵻkˈspləʊsᵻvnᵻs/, /ᵻkˈspləʊzᵻvnᵻs/, /ɛkˈspləʊsᵻvnᵻs/, /ɛkˈspləʊzᵻvnᵻs/, U.S. /ᵻkˈsploʊsᵻvnᵻs/, /ɛkˈsploʊsᵻvnᵻs/, /ᵻkˈsploʊzᵻvnᵻs/, /ɛkˈsploʊzᵻvnᵻs/ The property of being explosive; the degree to which something is explosive; (figurative) the quality of resembling an explosion in suddenness, violence, intensity, etc.; the fact of being likely to become suddenly violent or dangerous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [noun] > bursting violently from rest or restraint > exploding > liability to explode
explosibility1816
explosiveness1823
1821 A. Ure Dict. Chem. at Combustion This experiment refutes the notions of M. de Grotthus, on the non-explosiveness of that mixture [of hydrogen and oxygen], when expanded by heat.]
1823 W. Henry Elements Exper. Chem. (ed. 9) I. vii. 235 The explosiveness of a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases.
1839 Advice to Young Gentleman on entering Society iii. 56 It may be asked what the life of the great would be, if conventional decorum did not curb and fetter by its restraints this increased explosiveness of temper.
1871 V. D. Majendie in Cassell's Techn. Educator I. 154/2 Sift out the glass, when the powder would resume its natural explosiveness.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 1157 A touch sets free the five valves of the balsam, whose expressive name of ‘touch-me-not’ (Impatiens noli-me-tangere) refers to its ready explosiveness.
1945 N.Y. Times 8 Nov. 7/3 Lawless conditions..which presumably reflect the general explosiveness of the situation.
1994 Magnet May 10/3 More than anything, [the rock band] Candy Machine is about the constant struggle between restraint and cathartic explosiveness.
2010 Financial Times 22 May (Mag. section) 19/2 All these factors determine whether or not a volcano produces ash, the explosiveness of its eruptions and how high the ash will fly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1823