fuse
1[ fyooz ]
/ fyuz /
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noun
a tube, cord, or the like, filled or saturated with combustible matter, for igniting an explosive.
verb (used with object), fused, fus·ing.
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Idioms about fuse
have a short fuse, Informal. to anger easily; have a quick temper.
Origin of fuse
1First 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, adjectivefuselike, adjectiveOther definitions for fuse (2 of 2)
fuse2
[ fyooz ]
/ fyuz /
noun
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.
to combine or blend by melting together; melt.
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.
to become liquid under the action of heat; melt: At a relatively low temperature the metal will fuse.
to become united or blended: The two groups fused to create one strong union.
Chiefly British. to overload an electric circuit so as to burn out a fuse.
Origin of fuse
2First 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. 2023
How to use fuse in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for fuse (1 of 2)
fuse1
US fuze
/ (fjuːz) /
noun
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
any device by which an explosive charge is ignited
blow a fuse See blow 1 (def. 12)
verb
(tr) to provide or equip with such a fuse
Derived forms of fuse
fuseless, adjectiveWord Origin for fuse
C17: from Italian fuso spindle, from Latin fūsus
British Dictionary definitions for fuse (2 of 2)
fuse2
/ (fjuːz) /
verb
to unite or become united by melting, esp by the action of heatto fuse borax and copper sulphate at a high temperature
to become or cause to become liquid, esp by the action of heat; melt
to join or become combined; integrate
(tr) to equip (an electric circuit, plug, etc) with a fuse
British to fail or cause to fail as a result of the blowing of a fusethe lights fused
noun
a protective device for safeguarding electric circuits, etc, containing a wire that melts and breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value
Word Origin for fuse
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
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.
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
To melt something, such as metal or glass, by heating.
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.