— defuser , n.
/dee fyoohz"/ , v. , defused, defusing .
v.t.
1. to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
2. to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing: to defuse a potentially ugly situation.
v.i.
3. to grow less dangerous; weaken.
Also, defuze .
[ 1940-45; DE- + FUSE 1 ]