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1. 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.
2. oftenfuzeA 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).
tr.v.fused, fus·ing, fus·es also fuzed or fuz·ing or fuz·es
To equip with a mechanical or electrical fuse.
[FromItalianfuso, spindle (originally from its shape), fromLatinfūsus.]
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.