safety fuse
/'seifti'fju:z/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A protective electrical device: A safety fuse is an electrical component designed to break an electrical circuit by melting when the current exceeds a safe level, thereby preventing damage or fire.
- A slow-burning igniting cord: A safety fuse is a length of cord or tube containing a core of combustible material, designed to burn at a controlled, predictable rate to safely ignite an explosive charge from a distance.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Electrical Device):
- The appliance stopped working because the safety fuse blew.
- Always replace a blown safety fuse with one of the correct amperage.
Noun (Igniting Cord):
- The miner lit the safety fuse and retreated to a safe distance.
- A safety fuse provides a reliable delay before detonation.
Advanced Usage
- "To blow a fuse": This idiom, derived from the electrical safety fuse, means to lose one's temper suddenly.
- He blew a fuse when he saw the mistake.
Variants and Related Words
- Fuse (n/v): The general term for a device that interrupts current or a cord that ignites explosives; also the act of melting or joining.
- Circuit breaker (n): An automatic switch that serves a similar protective function as an electrical fuse but can be reset.
- Detonator (n): A device containing a small explosive charge, used to trigger a larger explosion, often ignited by a safety fuse.
Synonyms
- Electrical sense: Cutout, overcurrent protector.
- Explosives sense: Ignition cord, time fuse.
Related Phrases
- "To have a short fuse": An idiom meaning to be quick to anger.
- Be careful what you say; he has a very short fuse.
Related Idioms
- "On a short fuse": In a situation that is tense and likely to escalate quickly.
- Negotiations were on a short fuse after the new demands were made.
Noun
- an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded
- a slow-burning fuse consisting of a tube or cord filled or saturated with combustible matter; used to ignite detonators from a distance