fuse

¹

[ fyooz ]

noun

1. a tube, cord, or the like, filled or saturated with combustible matter, for igniting an explosive.
2. fuze ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

, fused, fus·ing.

1. fuze ( def 3 ).

fuse

²

[ fyooz ]

noun

1. 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.

1. to combine or blend by melting together; melt.
2. 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.

1. to become liquid under the action of heat; melt:

   At a relatively low temperature the metal will fuse.

2. to become united or blended:

   The two groups fused to create one strong union.

3. Chiefly British. to overload an electric circuit so as to burn out a fuse.

fuse

¹

/ fjuːz /

verb

1. to unite or become united by melting, esp by the action of heat

   to fuse borax and copper sulphate at a high temperature

2. to become or cause to become liquid, esp by the action of heat; melt
3. to join or become combined; integrate
4. tr to equip (an electric circuit, plug, etc) with a fuse
5. to fail or cause to fail as a result of the blowing of a fuse

   the lights fused

noun

1. a protective device for safeguarding electric circuits, etc, containing a wire that melts and breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value

fuse

²

/ fjuːz /

noun

1. 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
2. any device by which an explosive charge is ignited
3. blow a fuse
   See blow 1

verb

1. tr to provide or equip with such a fuse

fuse

/ fyo̅o̅z /

Noun

1. 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 They were traditionally used to protect electronic equipment and prevent fires, but have largely been replaced by circuit breakers.
2. 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

1. To melt something, such as metal or glass, by heating.
2. To blend two or more substances by melting.

Derived Forms

• ˈfuseless, adjective

Other Words From

• fuseless adjective
• fuselike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuse¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Italian fuso, from Latin fūsus “spindle” (i.e., a spindle-shaped tube filled with combustible matter)

Origin of fuse²

First recorded in 1675–85 for the verb; from Latin fūsus “melted, poured, cast,” past participle of fundere

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuse¹

C17: from Latin fūsus melted, cast, poured out, from fundere to pour out, shed; sense 5 influenced by fuse ¹

Origin of fuse²

C17: from Italian fuso spindle, from Latin fūsus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. blow a fuse, Informal. to lose one's temper; become enraged:

   If I'm late again, they'll blow a fuse.

2. have a short fuse, Informal. to anger easily; have a quick temper.

More idioms and phrases containing fuse

see blow a fuse .

Synonym Study

See melt ¹.

Example Sentences

When two fusion fuel atoms have the same quantum spin, they are more likely to fuse.

From Science Daily

They are electrically fused and require battery power to detonate.

From BBC

However, the F protein has a delicate structure that changes rapidly from a "pre-fusion" form to a "post-fusion" form when the viruses fuse with cells.

From Science Daily

That jaunty jazz is sandwiched between two sections that fuse tribal rhythms with ambient synth sounds, making it quickly clear that gamers were in for a wide-ranging musical adventure.

From New York Times

"The fuses were the wrong way around," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• blend
• coalesce
• combine
• dissolve
• integrate
• melt
• merge
• mingle
• weld

More About Fuse

What is a basic definition of fuse?

Fuse means to unite or blend together. Fuse also refers to a protective device in an electrical current and to a tube or cord used to light explosives.

Fuse is used in metalworking and similar industries to refer to combining metals by melting them down into liquids. In everyday use, fuse is used figuratively to mean to combine or unite anything as if they were melted together. For example, a band might fuse metal and electronic music to make a unique sound. Something that has been made by fusing things together is called a fusion.

• Real-life examples: Copper scraps can be fused together to make wires. Science fiction often fuses real science with fictional ideas. A mad scientist might fuse animals together to make monsters.
• Used in a sentence: The two kingdoms fused together to create a powerful nation. 

As a noun, fuse refers to a safety device designed to protect electrical equipment from melting or catching on fire. A fuse usually resembles a small rod or wire that is designed to melt from the heat of an electrical current that is moving too fast. Once the fuse melts, the electrical circuit is broken. This stops the current from moving and protects the more expensive or dangerous equipment from melting or catching on fire.

Fuses are an extremely common safety device (alongside circuit breakers) and are usually kept in a fuse box located in a remote part of a house or building. The phrase blow a fuse comes from this sense of fuse.

• Real-life examples: Your house may have a fuse box that you can open to replace damaged fuses. Electronic devices such as televisions and computers almost always have fuses to prevent fires or explosions caused by electricity.
• Used in a sentence: The computer technician had to replace several blown fuses in the motherboard.  

The word fuse also refers to a cord, wire, rope, or similar object that is lit on fire in order to ignite an explosive. The purpose of a fuse is to delay an explosion.

• Real-life examples: Almost all fireworks have fuses to prevent them from exploding immediately, such as in a person’s hand. An explosive weapon such as a bomb might have a fuse so the user can run away before it explodes. Explosives used in manufacturing or mining, such as dynamite, may also have fuses for the same reason.
• Used in a sentence: She lit the fuse of the giant firecracker. 

Where does fuse come from?

The first records of fuse come from around 1635. It ultimately comes from the Latin word fūsus, meaning “melted, poured, or cast.”

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to fuse?

• defuse (verb)
• fuseless (adjective)
• fuselike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for fuse?

• meld
• blend
• combine
• merge
• weld

What are some words that share a root or word element with fuse? 

• fuse box
• fusion
• fusee
• blow a fuse

What are some words that often get used in discussing fuse?

• mixture
• metal
• safety
• electric circuit
• explosives

How is fuse used in real life?

Fuse is a word used to mean to combine things together. The electrical and explosive device senses of fuse are also common.

I told like 4 different customers to have a “grood” day this morning 😅 I couldn’t commit to great or good so I fused them together

— lil tea kettle (@mhanusowski) September 21, 2020

Driving all the way to midland to buy a new fuse for my Marshall amp

— Fabian stewart (@Fono50) June 6, 2013

Unexploded bomb dropped by US during WW2 found beside airport runway in southern Japan. Bomb dug out and fuse safely removed

— Mark Willacy (@markwillacy) July 5, 2011

Try using fuse!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of fuse?

A. blend
B. combine
C. separate
D. meld