Fuse Definition

fyo͝oz

fused, fuses, fusing, fuzes

noun

fuses

A narrow tube filled with combustible material, or a wick saturated with such material, for setting off an explosive charge.

Webster's New World

Fuze.

Webster's New World

A mechanical or electrical mechanism used to detonate an explosive charge or device such as a bomb or grenade.

American Heritage

A safety device placed in a circuit, consisting of a replaceable plug or tube containing wire or metal that will melt and break the circuit if the current exceeds a specified amperage.

Webster's New World

Indicating a tendency to lose one's temper.

When talking about being laid off, he has a short fuse.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

verb

fused, fuses, fusing

To melt, or to join by melting.

Webster's New World

To unite as if by melting together; blend.

Webster's New World

To connect a fuse to.

Webster's New World

To liquefy or reduce to a plastic state by heating; melt.

American Heritage

To unite (atomic nuclei) in the process of nuclear fusion.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

idiom

blow a fuse

to have an electrical fuse melt
to become very angry

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Fuse

Noun

Singular:

fuse

Plural:

fuses

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Fuse

blow a fuse

Origin of Fuse

From Italian fuso and French fusée, from Latin fusus (“spindle”).

From Wiktionary
From Italian fuso spindle (originally from its shape) from Latin fūsus

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Latin fundere fūs- to melt gheu- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From fusion, "to melt" (back-formation).

From Wiktionary