Def"la*grate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deflagrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflagrating.] [L. deflagratus, p. p. of deflagrare to burn up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.] (Chem.) To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter; also, to snap and crackle with slight explosions when heated, as salt.

Def"la*grate, v. t. (Chem.) To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as, to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen flame.