fuse 1
— fuseless , adj. — fuselike , adj.
/fyoohz/ , n. , v. , fused, fusing .
n.
1. a tube, cord, or the like, filled or saturated with combustible matter, for igniting an explosive.
2. fuze (def. 1).
3. have a short fuse , Informal. to anger easily; have a quick temper.
v.t.
4. fuze (def. 3).
[ 1635-45; fuso fusus spindle ]
fuse 2
/fyoohz/ , n. , v. , fused, fusing .
n.
1. Elect. a protective device, used in an electric circuit, containing a conductor that melts under heat produced by an excess current, thereby opening the circuit. Cf. circuit breaker .
2. blow a fuse , Informal. to lose one's temper; become enraged: If I'm late again, they'll blow a fuse.
v.t.
3. to combine or blend by melting together; melt.
4. to unite or blend into a whole, as if by melting together: The author skillfully fuses these fragments into a cohesive whole.
v.i.
5. to become liquid under the action of heat; melt: At a relatively low temperature the metal will fuse.
6. to become united or blended: The two groups fused to create one strong union.
7. Chiefly Brit. to overload an electric circuit so as to burn out a fuse.
[ 1675-85; fusus melted, poured, cast, ptp. of fundere ]
Syn. 3. See melt .