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

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

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

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

The crude fusee of Zech had to be perfected by Gruet, another Swiss clockmaker, and by still others.

From Christopher and the Clockmakers by Stecher, William F. (William Frederick)

The other day, on the pier at Boulogne, I lit a fusee for the purpose of having a smoke. 

From Days and Nights in London or, Studies in Black and Gray by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)