fusee

or fu·zee

[ fyoo-zee ]

noun

1. a wooden friction match having a large head, formerly used when a larger than normal flame was needed.
2. a red flare light, used on a railroad as a warning signal to approaching trains.
3. Horology. a spirally grooved, conical pulley and chain arrangement for counteracting the diminishing power of the uncoiling mainspring.
4. fuse ¹( def 1 ).

fusee

/ fjuːˈziː /

noun

1. (in early clocks and watches) a spirally grooved spindle, functioning as an equalizing force on the unwinding of the mainspring
2. a friction match with a large head, capable of remaining alight in a wind
3. an explosive fuse

Word History and Origins

Origin of fusee¹

1580–90; < Middle French fusée spindleful, derivative of Old French fus spindle. See fuse ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fusee¹

C16: from French fusée spindleful of thread, from Old French fus spindle, from Latin fūsus

Example Sentences

My brother had bought an unsuccessful one-rater, he re-named Fusee, the year before.

From Project Gutenberg

One reason was because she clung stubbornly to the old-fashioned fusee long after other people had abandoned it for the spring.

From Project Gutenberg

I pulled out my fusee-box, struck a light, and looked at my watch.

From Project Gutenberg

The other day, on the pier at Boulogne, I lit a fusee for the purpose of having a smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

After being strangled at the bottom like the mouth of a phial, it is attached to the end of the fusee by means of twine and paste.

From Project Gutenberg