fuse
2
[ fyooz ]
/ fyuz /
noun
Electricity.
a protective device, used in an electric circuit, containing a conductor that melts under heat produced by an excess current, thereby opening the circuit.
Compare circuit breaker.
verb (used with object), fused, fus·ing.
to combine or blend by melting together; melt.
to unite or blend into a whole, as if by melting together: The author skillfully fuses these fragments into a cohesive whole.
verb (used without object), fused, fus·ing.
to become liquid under the action of heat; melt: At a relatively low temperature the metal will fuse.
to become united or blended: The two groups fused to create one strong union.
Chiefly British.
to overload an electric circuit so as to burn out a fuse.
Idioms for fuse
blow a fuse, Informal.
to lose one's temper; become enraged: If I'm late again, they'll blow a fuse.
Origin of fuse
2
1675–85; < Latin
fūsus melted, poured, cast, past participle of
fundere
Words nearby fuse
fusain,
fusan,
fusarium,
fusarium wilt,
fuscous,
fuse,
fuse box,
fused kidney,
fused quartz,
fused sentence,
fusee
British Dictionary definitions for blow a fuse (1 of 2)
fuse
1
US fuze
/ (fjuːz) /
noun
a lead of combustible black powder in a waterproof covering (safety fuse), or a lead containing an explosive (detonating fuse), used to fire an explosive charge
any device by which an explosive charge is ignited
blow a fuse See blow 1 (def. 12)
verb
(tr)
to provide or equip with such a fuse
Derived forms of fuse
fuseless, adjectiveWord Origin for fuse
C17: from Italian
fuso spindle, from Latin
fūsus
British Dictionary definitions for blow a fuse (2 of 2)
fuse
2
/ (fjuːz) /
verb
to unite or become united by melting, esp by the action of heat
to fuse borax and copper sulphate at a high temperature
to become or cause to become liquid, esp by the action of heat; melt
to join or become combined; integrate
(tr)
to equip (an electric circuit, plug, etc) with a fuse
British
to fail or cause to fail as a result of the blowing of a fuse
the lights fused
noun
a protective device for safeguarding electric circuits, etc, containing a wire that melts and breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value
Word Origin for fuse
C17: from Latin
fūsus melted, cast, poured out, from
fundere to pour out, shed; sense 5 influenced by
fuse
1
Scientific definitions for blow a fuse
fuse
[ fyōōz ]
Noun
A safety device that protects an electric circuit from becoming overloaded. Fuses contain a length of thin wire (usually of a metal alloy) that melts and breaks the circuit if too much current flows through it. They were traditionally used to protect electronic equipment and prevent fires, but have largely been replaced by circuit breakers.
A cord of readily combustible material that is lighted at one end to carry a flame along its length to detonate an explosive at the other end.
Verb
To melt something, such as metal or glass, by heating.
To blend two or more substances by melting.
Idioms and Phrases with blow a fuse (1 of 2)
blow a fuse
Also, blow a gasket. Lose one's temper, express furious anger. For example, When his paycheck bounced, John blew a fuse, or Tell Mom what really happened before she blows a gasket. An electric fuse is said to “blow” (melt) when the circuit is overloaded, whereas a gasket, used to seal a piston, “blows” (breaks) when the pressure is too high. The first of these slangy terms dates from the 1930s, the second from the 1940s. Also see blow one's top; keep one's cool.
Idioms and Phrases with blow a fuse (2 of 2)
fuse
see blow a fuse.