Burning, the rapid oxidation of any substance accompanied by the production of heat and light. [L. comburo, pp. -bustus, to burn up]
- slow c. decay.
- spontaneous c. the ignition of a mass of material by heat developed within it by the oxidation of the substances composing it without external ignition.
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com·bus·tion kəm-'bəs-chən n a usu. very rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usu. light also a slower oxidation (as in the body)
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com·bus·tion (kəm-busґchən) [L. combustio] rapid oxidation with emission of heat.Medical dictionary. 2011.