1. a compressional wave of high amplitude caused by a shock (as from an earthquake or explosion) to the medium through which the wave travels

  2. a violent often pulsating disturbance or reaction
A near-discontinuous coalescence of compression waves that irreversibly and anisentropically decelerates a flow from super- to subsonic. Occurs whenever a physical body is immersed in supersonic flow.

A shock is the closest thing in nature to a discontinuity.

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