fusee
Americannoun
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a wooden friction match having a large head, formerly used when a larger than normal flame was needed.
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a red flare light, used on a railroad as a warning signal to approaching trains.
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Horology. a spirally grooved, conical pulley and chain arrangement for counteracting the diminishing power of the uncoiling mainspring.
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fuse.
noun
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(in early clocks and watches) a spirally grooved spindle, functioning as an equalizing force on the unwinding of the mainspring
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a friction match with a large head, capable of remaining alight in a wind
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an explosive fuse
Etymology
Origin of fusee
1580–90; < Middle French fusée spindleful, derivative of Old French fus spindle. See fuse 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 fusee is still used for marine chronometers, for some clocks that have a mainspring and pendulum, and occasionally for watches.
From How it Works Dealing in simple language with steam, electricity, light, heat, sound, hydraulics, optics, etc., and with their applications to apparatus in common use by Archibald Williams
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 J. Ewing (James Ewing) Ritchie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
