defuse
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English
Etymology 1
Pronunciation
Verb
defuse (third-person singular simple present defuses, present participle defusing, simple past and past participle defused)
- (transitive) To remove the fuse from (a bomb, etc.).
- (transitive, figurative) To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile.
- to defuse a hostage situation
Usage notes
The words defuse and diffuse are sometimes confused.
Related terms
Translations
to remove the fuse from a bomb
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to make something less dangerous
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Etymology 2
Compare diffuse.
Pronunciation
Verb
defuse (third-person singular simple present defuses, present participle defusing, simple past and past participle defused)
- (obsolete) To disorder; to make shapeless.
- c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , line 2:
- If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse,