fuse

/fjuz/

/fjuz/

Other forms: fused; fuses; fusing

A fuse is something that burns in order to ignite a bomb. Do you see anything near you that resembles a bundle of dynamite sticks with a fuse burning down? If so, stop reading this and GET OUT OF HERE!

Figuratively, if you say that someone has a short fuse, it means they get angry easily. If someone gets so angry they lose their temper, you can say that they blew a fuse. But this comes from another meaning of fuse — a device that interrupts the flow of electrical current so the system doesn’t get overloaded. If you use the toaster, microwave and dishwasher at the same time, you might literally blow a fuse. As a verb, if two things fuse, they blend or stick together.

Definitions of fuse

1. noun

   any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant
   synonyms: fusee, fuze, fuzee, primer, priming

   types:

   detonating fuse

   a fuse containing an explosive

   safety fuse

   a slow-burning fuse consisting of a tube or cord filled or saturated with combustible matter; used to ignite detonators from a distance

   time-fuse

   a fuse made to burn for a given time (especially to explode a bomb)

   type of:

   igniter, ignitor, light, lighter

   a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
2. verb

   equip with a fuse; provide with a fuse
   antonyms:

   defuse

   remove the triggering device from

   type of:

   equip, fit, fit out, outfit

   provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
3. noun

   an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded
   synonyms: electrical fuse, safety fuse

   types:

   cartridge fuse

   a fuse cased in a tube

   breaker, circuit breaker

   a device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded

   plug fuse

   a fuse with a thread that screws into a socket

   type of:

   electrical device

   a device that produces or is powered by electricity
4. verb

   mix together different elements
   synonyms: blend, coalesce, combine, commingle, conflate, flux, immix, meld, merge, mix

   types:

   gauge

   mix in specific proportions

   absorb

   cause to become one with

   meld, melt

   lose its distinct outline or shape; blend gradually

   blend in, mix in

   cause (something) to be mixed with (something else)

   accrete

   grow, accumulate, or fuse together

   conjugate

   unite chemically so that the product is easily broken down into the original compounds

   admix

   mix or blend

   alloy

   make an alloy of

   syncretise, syncretize

   become fused

   cut in

   mix in with cutting motions

   type of:

   change integrity

   change in physical make-up
5. verb

   make liquid or plastic by heating
   “The storm fused the electric mains”

   type of:

   melt, melt down, run

   reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
6. verb

   become plastic or fluid or liquefied from heat
   “The substances fused at a very high temperature”

   type of:

   flux, liquefy, liquify

   become liquid or fluid when heated