fuse¹ / fyoōz/ • n. a safety device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level.• v. 1. [tr.] join or blend to form a single entity: intermarriage had fused the families into a large unit. ∎  [intr.] (of groups of atoms or cellular structures) join or coalesce: the two nuclei move together and fuse into one nucleus. ∎  melt (a material or object) with intense heat, esp. so as to join it with something else: powdered glass was fused to a metal base.2. [tr.] provide (a circuit or electrical appliance) with a fuse: [as adj.] (fused) a fused plug. PHRASES: blow a fuse use too much power in an electrical circuit, causing a fuse to melt. ∎ inf. lose one's temper: it was only a suggestion—there's no need to blow a fuse.fuse² (also fuze) • n. a length of material along which a small flame moves to explode a bomb or firework, meanwhile allowing time for those who light it to move to a safe distance. ∎  a device in a bomb, shell, or mine that makes it explode on impact, after an interval, at set distance from the target, or when subjected to magnetic or vibratory stimulation.• v. [tr.] fit a fuse to (a bomb, shell, or mine): the bomb was fused to go off during a charity performance.PHRASES: light the (or a) fuse set something tense or exciting in motion: the event lit the fuse for the revolution.a short fuse a tendency to lose one's temper quickly: watch your tongue—he's got a very short fuse. ∎  (on a short fuse) likely to lose one's temper or explode.DERIVATIVES: fuse·less adj.