Fuse Meaning
/fjuːz/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA cord that, when lit, conveys the fire to some explosive device, such as a bomb.
nounA wick or cord used to convey flame to gunpowder, a bomb, or similar explosive.
Sentence Examples
A fuse has blown.
Why don't you mend that fuse?
Tom overloaded his power board and blew a fuse.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The intense heat will cause the two pieces to ____ together.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The technician had to replace a blown ____ to restore power to the entire laboratory building.
Word Origin & History
From Italian fuso and French fusée, from Latin fūsus (“spindle”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Government, having lit the fuse, is not going to be allowed to flee the explosion."
— 1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Passed to you, Mr. Macmillan”, in Modern Railways, page 220:
"That each, who seems a separate whole,
Should move his rounds, and fusing all
The skirts of self again, should fall
Remerging in the general Soul,
Is faith as vague as all unsweet: […]"
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 69:
"All these were based broadly on the management framework of the old companies, except that the former Southern and North Eastern Areas of the old L.N.E.R. became separate management units, while the former L.M.S.R. and L.N.E.R. lines north of the Border were fused into a self-contained Scottish Region."
— 1958 January 26, 'Borderer', “Ten Years of British Railways”, in Railway Magazine, page 13:
"Actually the New York, New Haven and Hartford, Boston & Maine, Maine Central, Bangor & Aroostook and Rutland Railroads already are doing so; if they are fused, they would have a combined route mileage of 5,269 and assets totalling £318 million, [...]."
— 1960 January, “Talking of Trains: N.& W.-Virginian merger”, in Trains Illustrated, page 9:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The intense heat will cause the two pieces to ____ together.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The technician had to replace a blown ____ to restore power to the entire laboratory building.