fuse

1
[ fyooz ]
See synonyms for: fusefusedfusing on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a tube, cord, or the like, filled or saturated with combustible matter, for igniting an explosive.

verb (used with object),fused, fus·ing.

Idioms about fuse

  1. have a short fuse, Informal. to anger easily; have a quick temper.

Origin of fuse

1
First recorded in 1640–50; from Italian fuso, from Latin fūsus “spindle” (i.e., a spindle-shaped tube filled with combustible matter)

Other words from fuse

  • fuseless, adjective
  • fuselike, adjective

Words Nearby fuse

Other definitions for fuse (2 of 2)

fuse2
[ fyooz ]

noun
  1. Electricity. a protective device, used in an electric circuit, containing a conductor that melts under heat produced by an excess current, thereby opening the circuit.: Compare circuit breaker (def. 1).

verb (used with object),fused, fus·ing.
  1. to combine or blend by melting together; melt.

  2. to unite or blend into a whole, as if by melting together: The author skillfully fuses these fragments into a cohesive whole.

verb (used without object),fused, fus·ing.
  1. to become liquid under the action of heat; melt: At a relatively low temperature the metal will fuse.

  2. to become united or blended: The two groups fused to create one strong union.

  1. Chiefly British. to overload an electric circuit so as to burn out a fuse.

Origin of fuse

2
First recorded in 1675–85 for the verb; from Latin fūsus “melted, poured, cast,” past participle of fundere

synonym study For fuse

2. See melt1.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fuse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fuse (1 of 2)

fuse1

US fuze

/ (fjuːz) /


noun
  1. a lead of combustible black powder in a waterproof covering (safety fuse), or a lead containing an explosive (detonating fuse), used to fire an explosive charge

  2. any device by which an explosive charge is ignited

  1. blow a fuse See blow 1 (def. 12)

verb
  1. (tr) to provide or equip with such a fuse

Origin of fuse

1
C17: from Italian fuso spindle, from Latin fūsus

Derived forms of fuse

  • fuseless, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for fuse (2 of 2)

fuse2

/ (fjuːz) /


verb
  1. to unite or become united by melting, esp by the action of heat: to fuse borax and copper sulphate at a high temperature

  2. to become or cause to become liquid, esp by the action of heat; melt

  1. to join or become combined; integrate

  2. (tr) to equip (an electric circuit, plug, etc) with a fuse

  3. British to fail or cause to fail as a result of the blowing of a fuse: the lights fused

noun
  1. a protective device for safeguarding electric circuits, etc, containing a wire that melts and breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value

Origin of fuse

2
C17: from Latin fūsus melted, cast, poured out, from fundere to pour out, shed; sense 5 influenced by fuse 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for fuse

fuse

[ fyōōz ]


Noun
  1. A safety device that protects an electric circuit from becoming overloaded. Fuses contain a length of thin wire (usually of a metal alloy) that melts and breaks the circuit if too much current flows through it. They were traditionally used to protect electronic equipment and prevent fires, but have largely been replaced by circuit breakers.

  2. A cord of readily combustible material that is lighted at one end to carry a flame along its length to detonate an explosive at the other end.

Verb
  1. To melt something, such as metal or glass, by heating.

  2. To blend two or more substances by melting.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with fuse

fuse

see blow a fuse.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.