fused
fused — adjective
- fusedpositive
- fusedercomparative
- fusedestsuperlative
1. describes any piece of electrical kit that has a safety fuse inside — the fuse m
describes any piece of electrical kit that has a safety fuse inside — the fuse melts if the current gets too high, cutting off the power to protect the equipment.
The new night-light is fused, so it will not overheat if the bulb blows.
fused as adjective: 'is fused' describes built-in fuse
All extension cords sold in the shop are fused for safety.
Elena checked that the power strip was fused before plugging in her computer.
Only buy fused plugs for the holiday lights to reduce the risk of fire.
- unfused
a device without any fuse fitted
用法筆記
Commonly used before nouns (a fused plug) or after 'be' (the device is fused). Not used for the fuse itself — the device is fused, not the fuse.
常見錯誤
fused — verb
- fusedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- fuseds3rd person singular
- fuseding-ing form
- fusededpast simple
1. to heat a solid substance until it becomes liquid; or to be turned into liquid b
to heat a solid substance until it becomes liquid; or to be turned into liquid by heating.
The glass beads fused into a single smooth lump inside the kiln.
intransitive: substance fuses by itself when heated
The jeweller fused the silver scraps in a small furnace before shaping the metal.
transitive: someone fuses something
Sand and soda ash fuse together at very high temperatures to make glass.
Kwame watched the wax fuse in the heat of the summer sun.
The metal wires must be fused by a torch before they can carry the current.
文法句型
fuse + object (transitive)
fuse + adverb (intransitive)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (JOIN OR BLEND): this sense is purely about melting — the substance changes state, but does not necessarily combine with anything else. Sense 2 adds the idea of two or more things becoming one.
2. to combine two or more things so that they become one, or to become combined in
to combine two or more things so that they become one, or to become combined in this way — for example, joining metals by heat, or blending ideas or styles to create something new.
The artist fused traditional calligraphy with modern street art in her murals.
fuse + [object] with + [thing]: blend distinct styles
In the workshop, copper and tin are fused to form bronze.
Fatima's cooking fuses Indian spices with East African ingredients.
The two political parties fused into a single coalition after the election.
The band's sound fuses jazz harmonies with electronic beats.
- merge
very similar; 'merge' is more common for companies or data; 'fuse' often implies heat or pressure
- blend
gentler than 'fuse'; works for food, colours, sounds; less permanent
- combine
broader and more neutral; 'fuse' suggests a tighter, more inseparable union
- unite
more formal; often used for groups, countries, or purposes
文法句型
fuse + objects together
fuse with + object
fuse into + noun
用法筆記
Can describe physical joining (metals, plastics) or abstract blending (ideas, music, cultures). When used of people or groups, 'fuse' often suggests a close, lasting union. For temporary physical joining, 'connect' is more appropriate.
常見錯誤
3. to join pieces of material such as fabric, plastic, or rubber using a combinatio
to join pieces of material such as fabric, plastic, or rubber using a combination of heat and strong pressure, often together with a layer of glue so the pieces stay bonded permanently.
The factory uses a machine that fuses the waterproof layer onto the jacket lining.
fuse + [material] onto + [surface]: industrial bonding
Yuki fused the hem of the curtain using an iron and adhesive tape.
The soles of these shoes are fused to the uppers by a heat process.
Wei repaired the torn car seat by fusing new vinyl over the damaged area.
文法句型
fuse + object + to/onto + object
用法筆記
Common in manufacturing and tailoring contexts. The result is a bond that may not need stitching. If the bond is only temporary, 'attach' or 'fix' are better choices.
4. to install a safety fuse inside an electrical device or circuit so that the devi
to install a safety fuse inside an electrical device or circuit so that the device is protected from damage caused by too much current.
The electrician fused the new heater before connecting it to the main supply.
All replacement plugs must be fused by a qualified technician.
passive: 'must be fused' indicates requirement
Dmitri fused the extension cord himself using a standard 13-amp cartridge.
The manufacturer forgot to fuse the prototype, so it failed the safety test.
文法句型
fuse + object
用法筆記
Chiefly British usage. In American English, 'to put a fuse in' or 'to install a fuse' is more common. Distinguish from sense 5 (STOP DUE TO BLOWN FUSE): this sense is about installing the fuse, not about it failing.
常見錯誤
5. when an electrical device or circuit stops operating because the safety fuse ins
when an electrical device or circuit stops operating because the safety fuse inside it has melted and broken the flow of power.
The lights fused when the old toaster was plugged in.
intransitive: the lights fused (stopped working)
The entire floor fused after the short circuit in the server room.
Ingrid's hair dryer fused every time she used it on the highest setting.
The kitchen fused again when the dishwasher and kettle ran at the same time.
文法句型
fuse (no object)
fuse when/if…
用法筆記
Chiefly British. In American English, one would say 'the fuse blew' or 'the circuit tripped.' The subject is usually the place or equipment that lost power (the house fused, the TV fused), not the fuse itself.
常見錯誤
6. to cause atomic nuclei to combine under extreme heat and pressure, releasing a m
to cause atomic nuclei to combine under extreme heat and pressure, releasing a massive amount of energy; or for nuclei to combine in this way — the process that powers the sun and hydrogen bombs.
Inside the sun, hydrogen atoms fuse into helium, producing light and heat.
intransitive: atoms fuse into + result
The research team fused deuterium and tritium in the reactor for the first time.
transitive: scientists fuse specific nuclei
When nuclei fuse, the total mass decreases and energy is released.
Scientists hope that one day they can fuse atoms cleanly to power entire cities.
- undergo fusion
longer but clearer in scientific writing
- fission
the splitting of atomic nuclei, opposite process
文法句型
fuse + nuclei/atoms
fuse (intransitive)
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in physics and energy discussions. Distinguish from 'nuclear fission,' where atoms split apart instead of joining together.
常見錯誤
fused — noun
1. a thin piece of wire inside an electrical system that melts and breaks the circu
a thin piece of wire inside an electrical system that melts and breaks the circuit when too much current passes through it, protecting the equipment and reducing the risk of fire.
The fuse blew when the old refrigerator short-circuited.
common collocation: 'fuse blew' — the fuse melted and broke
Omar replaced the blown fuse with a new 10-amp one from the drawer.
Always switch off the power before checking the fuse in the fuse box.
The fuse in the plug melted because too many devices were drawing power.
Each circuit in the house has its own fuse rated for a specific current.
- circuit breaker
a reusable switch that trips instead of melting; modern replacement for wire fuses
用法筆記
This noun (electrical safety device) traces to Latin 'fundere' (to pour, melt). The wire inside melts when current is too high — the same root as the verb 'fuse' (to melt). It is a different word historically from the explosive fuse of the same spelling. A common household term: 'the fuse has gone' means the fuse has melted and needs replacing. In modern homes, circuit breakers often replace traditional wire fuses.
常見錯誤
fused — noun
1. a cord or tube containing material that burns or sparks at a controlled speed, u
a cord or tube containing material that burns or sparks at a controlled speed, used to ignite an explosive charge from a safe distance.
The demolition team lit the fuse and ran for cover.
literal: 'light the fuse' — set fire to the cord
Fireworks have a short fuse that burns quickly before the explosion.
Santiago checked the fuse length carefully before detonating the charge.
The old fuse failed to ignite the dynamite because it had gotten damp.
用法筆記
This noun (explosive cord) traces to Italian 'fuso' (spindle), via French 'fusée'. It is a historically separate word from the electrical fuse of the same spelling — the two come from different roots and only converged in modern English. In military writing, 'fuze' is sometimes used to distinguish this explosive cord from the electrical safety device. The cord burns or sparks; the electrical fuse melts.