fuse

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈfyüz 

fused; fusing

transitive verb

1

: to reduce to a liquid or plastic state by heat

the thunderstorm had fused the electric mains

—C. K. Finlay

2

: to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together : combine

Particles are fused to form a new compound.

3

: to stitch by applying heat and pressure with or without the use of an adhesive

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become fluid with heat

acetate rayon tends to fuse if pressed at too high a temperature

—W. L. Carmichael

b

British : to fail because of the blowing of a fuse

2

: to become blended or joined by or as if by melting together

Dreams fuse with reality in her latest film.

fuse

2 of 4

noun (1)

: an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage

fuse

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it

2

or less commonly fuze : a mechanical or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo

fuse

4 of 4

verb (2)

ˈfyüz 

variants or less commonly fuze

fused also fuzed; fusing also fuzing

transitive verb

: to equip with a fuse

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• associate
• coalesce
• combine
• conjoin
• conjugate
• connect
• couple
• interfuse
• join
• link (up)
• marry
• unify
• unite

Choose the Right Synonym for fuse

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole.

mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens

mix a drink

mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Examples of fuse in a Sentence

Verb (1)

our two local teams fused into a larger regional team

the lightning strike was so hot it caused the electrical wires to fuse and then drip onto the road

the many foundries would daily fuse copper and zinc to create the brass that made the city famous

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Its teeth are fused into a sharp beak, giving it a birdlike appearance. —Vox Staff, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024

Once the hair’s fused to his scalp, Homer starts thinking like Snake, and goes after those who sent him to the Big House in the first place, including Bart. —Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

But on Wednesday, before Denver hosted the undefeated Thunder, Murray still made time to light Braun’s fuse. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024

There's fuses, there's hidden cracks, there's brains in there and cables between them. —Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

borrowed from Middle French fuser "to cause to melt," verb derivative from Medieval Latin fūsus, past participle of fundere "to cast (metal), melt down, make liquid," going back to Latin, "to pour, shed, cast (liquid metal)" — more at found entry 5

Note: Though "to melt, make liquid" is a primary sense of Medieval Latin fundere (and its Romance progeny, as French fondre), this meaning is only marginally attested in Classical Latin and may have originally been a technical sense used by metalworkers.

Noun (1)

derivative of fuse entry 1

Noun (2)

probably shortening of fusee in sense "fuse"

Note: The hypothesis that the word was borrowed from Italian fuso "spindle" appears to be without foundation. There is no evidence for the use of fuso in Italian in the sense "train of combustible material," the corresponding word being spoletta; note that spoletta in Tomaso Moretti's Trattato dell'Artiglieria (Venice, 1665) is rendered indiscriminately as both fuse and fusee in the English translation by Jonas Moore (A General Treatise of Artillery, London, 1683).

Verb (2)

derivative of fuse entry 2 or fuse entry 3

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1868, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1802, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fuse

• be on/have a short fuse
• blow a fuse
• fuse box
• proximity fuse
• short fuse

Kids Definition

fuse

1 of 4 verb

fused; fusing

1

: to change into a liquid or plastic state by heat

2

: to become fluid with heat

3

: to unite by or as if by melting together

fuse

2 of 4 noun

: an electrical safety device having a metal wire or strip that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current becomes too strong

fuse

3 of 4 noun

ˈfyüz

1

: a cord or cable that is set afire to ignite an explosive charge by carrying fire to it

2

also fuze : a mechanical or electrical device for setting off the explosive charge of an artillery shell, bomb, or torpedo

fuse

4 of 4 verb

variants also fuze

fused also fuzed; fusing also fuzing

: to equip with a fuse

Etymology

Verb

from Latin fusus past participle of fundere "to pour melted metal into a mold" — related to found entry 3

Noun

from Italian fuso "a slender tapering rod used for twisting yarn, spindle," from Latin fusus "spindle"

Medical Definition

fuse

verb

ˈfyüz 

fused; fusing

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo fusion

fuse a joint

intransitive verb

: to undergo fusion