(~s, fusing, ~d)
1.
A ~ is a safety device in an electric plug or circuit. It contains a piece of wire which melts when there is a fault so that the flow of electricity stops.
The ~ blew as he pressed the button to start the motor...
Remove the circuit ~ before beginning electrical work.
N-COUNT
2.
When an electric device ~s or when you ~ it, it stops working because of a fault. (BRIT)
The wire snapped at the wall plug and the light ~d...
Rainwater had ~d the bulbs.
VERB: V, V n
3.
A ~ is a device on a bomb or firework which delays the explosion so that people can move a safe distance away.
A bomb was deactivated at the last moment, after the ~ had been lit.
N-COUNT
4.
When things ~ or are ~d, they join together physically or chemically, usually to become one thing. You can also say that one thing ~s with another.
The skull bones ~ between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five...
Conception occurs when a single sperm ~s with an egg...
Manufactured glass is made by fusing various types of sand...
Their solution was to isolate specific clones of B cells and ~ them with cancer cells...
The flakes seem to ~ together and produce ice crystals.
V-RECIP: pl-n V, V with n, V pl-n, V n with n, pl-n V together , also V pl-n together
5.
If something ~s two different qualities, ideas, or things, or if they ~, they join together, especially in order to form a pleasing or satisfactory combination.
His music ~d the rhythms of jazz with classical forms...
What they have done is ~ two different types of entertainment, the circus and the rock concert...
Past and present ~.
= combine
V-RECIP: V n with n, V pl-n, pl-n V, also V with n
6.
If you blow a ~, you suddenly become very angry and are unable to stay calm. (INFORMAL)
For all my experience, I blew a ~ in the quarter-final and could have been sent off.
PHRASE: V inflects
7.
If someone or something lights the ~ of a particular situation or activity, they suddenly get it started.
Hopes for an early cut in German interest rates lit the market’s ~ early on.
PHRASE: V inflects
8.
If you say that someone has a short ~ or is on a short ~ you mean that they are quick to react angrily when something goes wrong.
I have a very short ~ and a violent temper.
PHRASE: V inflects