fusee

American  

[fyoo-zee] / fyuˈzi /

Or fuzee

noun

1. a wooden friction match having a large head, formerly used when a larger than normal flame was needed.

2. a red flare light, used on a railroad as a warning signal to approaching trains.

3. Horology. a spirally grooved, conical pulley and chain arrangement for counteracting the diminishing power of the uncoiling mainspring.

4. fuse.

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fusee British  

/ fjuːˈziː /

noun

1. (in early clocks and watches) a spirally grooved spindle, functioning as an equalizing force on the unwinding of the mainspring

2. a friction match with a large head, capable of remaining alight in a wind

3. an explosive fuse

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Etymology

Origin of fusee

1580–90; < Middle French fusée spindleful, derivative of Old French fus spindle. See fuse ¹

Example Sentences

Thus, the fusee equalized the force of the spring on the wheels of the timekeeper.

From Scientific American • Dec. 31, 2011

The importance of the fusee should not be underestimated: it made possible the development of the portable clock as well as the subsequent evolution of the pocket watch.

From Scientific American • Dec. 31, 2011

The railroad explained that the West Coast Champion's fireman had gone down the track to set a fusee, had stumbled and destroyed his only one.

From Time Magazine Archive

This dilemma was overcome by Vaughan offering a fusee.

From A Girl's Ride in Iceland by Alec-Tweedie, Mrs. (Ethel)

The explosion was caused by a kind of fusee held in the hand which the people could not see, and taking it for a miracle they paid all that was demanded.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)