fuse

[[t]fju͟ːz[/t]]

fuses, fusing, fused

1) N-COUNT A fuse 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 fuse blew as he pressed the button to start the motor...

Remove the circuit fuse before beginning electrical work.

2) V-ERG When an electric device fuses or when you fuse it, it stops working because of a fault. [BRIT]

The wire snapped at the wall plug and the light fused...

[V n] We pursued my grandmother round the house hoping she wasn't going to fuse anything.

3) N-COUNT A fuse 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 fuse had been lit.

4) V-RECIP-ERG When things fuse or are fused, they join together physically or chemically, usually to become one thing. You can also say that one thing fuses with another.

[pl-n V] The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five...

[V with n] Conception occurs when a single sperm fuses with an egg...

[V pl-n] Manufactured glass is made by fusing various types of sand...

[V n with n] Their solution was to isolate specific clones of B cells and fuse them with cancer cells...

[pl-n V together] The flakes seem to fuse together and produce ice crystals. [Also V pl-n together]

5) V-RECIP-ERG If something fuses two different qualities, ideas, or things, or if they fuse, they join together, especially in order to form a pleasing or satisfactory combination.

[V n with n] His music of that period fused the rhythms of jazz with classical forms...

[V pl-n] What they have done is fuse two different types of entertainment, the circus and the rock concert...

[pl-n V] Past and present fuse. [Also V with n]

Syn:

combine

6) PHRASE: V inflects If you blow a fuse, you suddenly become very angry and are unable to stay calm. [INFORMAL]

For all my experience, I blew a fuse in the quarter-final and could have been sent off.

7) PHRASE: V inflects If someone or something lights the fuse of a particular situation or activity, they suddenly get it started.

Hopes for an early cut in German interest rates lit the market's fuse early on.

8) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone has a short fuse or is on a short fuse you mean that they are quick to react angrily when something goes wrong.

I have a very short fuse and a violent temper.