fuse
FYOOZ
/ˈfjuːz/
A safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level; to join or blend together.
As a noun, it can refer to an electrical safety device or a slow-burning cord used to ignite an explosive. As a verb, it means to melt and merge.
The story behind the word. The electrical 'fuse' comes from the Latin 'fusus', meaning 'melted', which is the past participle of 'fundere' (to pour or melt). This perfectly describes the physical action of the wire inside the device, which is engineered to melt when overloaded.
Word relationships
- merge: Merge means to combine separate elements into a single entity, while fuse implies a physical melting or structural bonding together.
- circuit breaker: A circuit breaker is a reusable switch that trips to stop electricity, whereas a fuse is a one-time-use device that must be replaced after melting.
- separate: Separate means to divide or disconnect, which is the opposite of fusing elements together.
Commonly confused with
- fission: Fission is the splitting of an atom, while fusion (from the verb fuse) is the joining of atomic nuclei.
Word family
- fusion (noun): the process or result of joining things together
- fusible (adjective): capable of being fused or melted
Collocations
- blow a fuse
- replace a fuse
- fuse box
- fuse together
Idioms & expressions
- blow a fuse
Example sentences
- "The microwave and the toaster running at the same time caused the kitchen circuit to overload and blow a fuse." Household electrical issue
- "The chef's goal was to fuse traditional French culinary techniques with bold Mexican flavors." Artistic collaboration
Memory hook
A 'fuse' is designed to 'confuse' the electrical current by melting and breaking the path when it gets too hot. A fuse melts to stop the flow.
When not to use
Do not confuse the electrical safety device 'fuse' with a modern 'circuit breaker', which can be reset without replacing any parts.
Fun facts
- The idiom 'to blow a fuse' became popular in the mid-20th century as a metaphor for a person suddenly losing their temper, comparing human anger to an overloaded electrical circuit.
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