fuse
1,
also fuze
(fyōōz)
[From Italian fuso, spindle (originally from its shape), from Latin fūsus.]
noun
- 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.
- A mechanical or electrical mechanism used to detonate an explosive charge or device such as a bomb or grenade: “A mechanical . . . switch is used to initiate the fuzes” (International Defense Review)
transitive verb: fused, also fuzed, fus·ing, fuz·ing, fus·es, fuz·es
- To equip with a mechanical or electrical fuse: “The bomb . . . was fuzed and timed to explode after the aircraft had taken off” (Aviation Week & Space Technology)
fuse
2 (fyōōz)
[Latin fundere, fūs-, to melt.]
verb: fused, fus·ing, fus·es.
transitive verb
- To liquefy or reduce to a plastic state by heating; melt.
- To mix (constituent elements) together by or as if by melting; blend.
intransitive verb
- To become liquefied from heat.
- To become mixed or united by or as if by melting together: “There was no separation between joy and sorrow: they fused into one” (Henry Miller) See synonyms at mix
noun
- A safety device that protects an electric circuit from excessive current, consisting of or containing a metal element that melts when current exceeds a specific amperage, thereby opening the circuit.
