Fuse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💣
Add to dictionary

fuse

[fjuːz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

electrical

A safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level.

Examples of usage

  • The fuse blew when there was a power surge.
  • Make sure to replace the fuse with the correct amperage rating.
Context #2 | Noun

explosive

A tube filled with combustible material, ignited to provide a detonation for explosives.

Examples of usage

  • The soldier lit the fuse of the bomb and ran for cover.
  • They used a long fuse to give them time to escape before the explosion.
Context #3 | Verb

combine

To join or blend to form a single entity.

Examples of usage

  • The two companies decided to fuse their resources for the project.
  • The flavors fuse together to create a unique taste.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In electrical systems, a fuse protects circuits by melting and breaking the connection if the current is too high, preventing fires.
  • Fusion is a type of nuclear reaction where small atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy – like in the sun!

Technology

  • Fuses are critical components in modern electronics, ensuring devices function safely by preventing overcurrent damage.
  • The term 'fuse' is also used in software engineering to combine different programs or components, creating a unified application.

Art and Culture

  • In art, fusing glass involves heating and melting pieces together, creating beautiful, new forms through manipulation.
  • Culinary arts sometimes use the concept of 'fusing' flavors, combining different cultural dishes to create something new and exciting.

Literature

  • In literature, fusing can describe the blending of genres, like mixing mystery with romance to create exciting new narratives.
  • Poets often 'fuse' imagery and emotions, combining different feelings to evoke powerful responses from readers.

Origin of 'fuse'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'fuse' comes from the Latin 'fumere', meaning 'to melt', which reflects the idea of joining through heat.
  • In the 15th century, 'fuse' was used to describe joining metals by melting them together.

The word 'fuse' originated from the Latin word 'fusus', which means 'spindle'. It was first used in the 1630s to refer to a tube filled with combustible material used to ignite an explosive device. Over time, the term expanded to include the safety device used in electrical circuits. The concept of fusing materials together also contributed to the verb form of 'fuse'.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,410, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.