self-destruct

self-destruct
/self"di strukt"/, v.i.
1. to destroy itself or oneself: The missile is built so that a malfunction will cause it to self-destruct.
2. to cause itself or oneself to reach a state of collapse, dysfunction, confusion, or the like: The committee is so disorganized it will probably self-destruct before it can accomplish anything.
adj.
3. causing something to self-destruct: a self-destruct mechanism.
[1965-70, Amer.]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • self-destruct — v. & adj. esp. US v.intr. (of a spacecraft, bomb, etc.) explode or disintegrate automatically, esp. when pre set to do so. attrib.adj. enabling a thing to self destruct (a self destruct device) …   Useful english dictionary

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