Definition

1. Noun:

   • A safety device in an electrical circuit: A "fuse" is a thin piece of wire or metal inside a protective case. It melts and breaks the circuit if too much electric current flows through it, preventing damage or fire.
   • A cord or device for igniting an explosive: A "fuse" is a cord, tube, or wick filled with a slow-burning substance, used to set off an explosive charge after a delay.

2. Verb:

   • To join or blend together, often by melting: To "fuse" means to combine two or more separate things into a single, unified whole, typically by applying heat to melt them together.
   • To equip with a fuse: To "fuse" means to install or provide a safety fuse to an electrical device or an explosive device.
   • To become joined or blended by melting: To "fuse" means for separate materials to melt and become one substance when heated.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The lights went out because a fuse blew. (The electrical safety device melted and broke the circuit.)
  • He lit the fuse and ran to a safe distance before the explosion. (He ignited the cord that would detonate the explosive.)

• Verb:

  • The intense heat fused the pieces of glass together. (The heat melted and joined the separate glass pieces.)
  • All the appliances in the house are properly fused for safety. (All appliances are equipped with electrical safety devices.)
  • The two metals fused at a temperature of 800 degrees Celsius. (The two separate metals melted and combined into one.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a short fuse" (idiom): To be quick to anger.

  • Be careful what you say to him; he has a very short fuse. (He gets angry very easily.)

• "to blow a fuse" (idiom): To become very angry; also, literally, for an electrical fuse to melt and break.

  • My dad will blow a fuse when he sees the dent in the car. (My dad will become extremely angry.)
  • The hairdryer blew a fuse, so we had to reset the breaker. (The hairdryer caused the electrical safety device to melt.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fusible (adjective): Capable of being melted or fused.
  • The alloy is fusible at relatively low temperatures.
• Fusion (noun): The process or result of fusing; a blend.
  • The band plays a fusion of jazz and rock music.
• Defuse (verb): To remove the fuse from (an explosive); to make a situation less tense or dangerous. (Note: This is a different word with a different meaning).
  • The bomb squad worked to defuse the device.

Synonyms

• Noun (electrical): Circuit breaker (a related but different type of safety device).
• Noun (explosive): Detonator, igniter.
• Verb (join): Merge, amalgamate, weld, meld.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fuse together: To join or combine into one unit.
  • Over millions of years, the continents fused together.
• Fuse with: To join or combine with something else.
  • The company plans to fuse with its main competitor.

Related Idioms

• On a short fuse: In a state where one is likely to become angry very quickly.
  • She's been on a short fuse all week because of the work stress.
• The fuse is lit: A situation has been started that will inevitably lead to a dramatic outcome or conflict.
  • With that inflammatory comment, the fuse was lit for a major argument.

Noun

1. any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant
2. an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded

Verb

1. make liquid or plastic by heating
   • The storm fused the electric mains
2. equip with a fuse; provide with a fuse
3. become plastic or fluid or liquefied from heat
   • The substances fused at a very high temperature
4. mix together different elements
   • The colors blend well