Definition of "fuse" []

• 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. (noun)
• A mechanical or electrical mechanism used to detonate an explosive charge or device such as a bomb or grenade: "A mechanical . . . switch is used to initiate the fuzes” ( International Defense Review). (noun)
• To equip with a mechanical or electrical fuse: "The bomb . . . was fuzed and timed to explode after the aircraft had taken off” ( Aviation Week & Space Technology). (verb-transitive)
• To liquefy or reduce to a plastic state by heating; melt. (verb-transitive)
• To mix (constituent elements) together by or as if by melting; blend. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The word fuse popped into Marlene’s head, along with a colossal terror."
• "His fuse is getting short as some dare to stand up to him and he anticipates the possibility that he won't get his way."
• "And I suspect that the mother who lit the fuse is not exactly a Green or NDP voter."