afvuren

afvuren is a Dutch verb meaning to fire or discharge a weapon, or to launch a projectile or explosive. It is commonly used in military, law enforcement, and aerospace contexts, but can also refer to the triggering of a mechanism that releases something, such as fireworks. The term denotes an intentional act of releasing stored energy or ammunition.

In everyday use, afvuren is typically applied to firearms, artillery, rockets, and missiles. Examples include: a soldier firing a pistol, a cannon being fired, or a missile being launched. The past participle is afgevuurd, as in het wapen is afgevuurd. Fireworks are sometimes described with afvuren as well, for instance het vuurwerk werd afgevuurd. The verb can also appear in passive constructions, such as de raket is afgevuurd.

Etymologically, afvuren is formed by the prefix af- plus vuren, the stem of vuur (fire). The prefix indicates completion or outward action, contributing to a sense of releasing a shot, blast, or projectile.

Note that afvuren is distinct from afschieten, another common Dutch verb for shooting. While both can mean to fire a weapon, afschieten often emphasizes the act of shooting down or releasing a projectile, whereas afvuren centers on the discharge or launch itself. In safety and legal contexts, afvuren is usually governed by firearm regulations and requires appropriate authorization and training.

See also: afschieten, vuurwapen, raketafvuren, vuurwerk.