fuse

verb (1)

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\ ˈfyüz

fused; fusing

Definition of fuse

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to reduce to a liquid or plastic state by heat the thunderstorm had fused the electric mains— C. K. Finlay

2 : to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together : combine Particles are fused to form a new compound.

3 : to stitch by applying heat and pressure with or without the use of an adhesive

intransitive verb

1a : to become fluid with heat acetate rayon tends to fuse if pressed at too high a temperature— W. L. Carmichael

b British : to fail because of the blowing of a fuse

2 : to become blended or joined by or as if by melting together Dreams fuse with reality in her latest film.

fuse

noun (1)

Definition of fuse (Entry 2 of 4)

: an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage

fuse

noun (2)

Definition of fuse (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it

2 or less commonly fuze : a mechanical or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo

fuse

verb (2)

\ ˈfyüz

variants: or less commonly fuze

fused also fuzed; fusing also fuzing

Definition of fuse (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to equip with a fuse

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Learn More about fuse

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Choose the Right Synonym for fuse

Verb (1)

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole. mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity. mix the salad greens mix a drink mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active. fear mingled with anticipation in my mind commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling. a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture. blended several teas to create a balanced flavor merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole. in his mind reality and fantasy merged coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity. telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities. refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product. a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

First Known Use of fuse

Verb (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1868, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1802, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fuse

Verb (1)

borrowed from Middle French fuser "to cause to melt," verb derivative from Medieval Latin fūsus, past participle of fundere "to cast (metal), melt down, make liquid," going back to Latin, "to pour, shed, cast (liquid metal)" — more at found entry 5

Note: Though "to melt, make liquid" is a primary sense of Medieval Latin fundere (and its Romance progeny, as French fondre), this meaning is only marginally attested in Classical Latin and may have originally been a technical sense used by metalworkers.

Noun (1)

derivative of fuse entry 1

Noun (2)

probably shortening of fusee in sense "fuse"

Note: The hypothesis that the word was borrowed from Italian fuso "spindle" appears to be without foundation. There is no evidence for the use of fuso in Italian in the sense "train of combustible material," the corresponding word being spoletta; note that spoletta in Tomaso Moretti's Trattato dell'Artiglieria (Venice, 1665) is rendered indiscriminately as both fuse and fusee in the English translation by Jonas Moore (A General Treatise of Artillery, London, 1683).

Verb (2)

derivative of fuse entry 2 or fuse entry 3

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