A safety device that protects electric circuits from the effects of excessive electric currents.

A fuse commonly consists of a current-conducting strip or wire of easily fusible metal; whenever the circuit is made to carry a current larger than that for which it is intended, the strip melts to interrupt it.

1. An electrical safety device that contains a piece of metal that melts if the current running through it exceeds a particular level and thereby can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded.
2. 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.
3. A slow-burning wick or other device used to set off a shell, bomb, a blast of gunpower, or other explosive charge.
4. Etymology: "a combustible cord" or "a tube for lighting an explosive device"; also fuze, 1640's, from Italian fuso, "spindle" (because the originals were long, thin tubes filled with gunpowder); from Latin fusus, "spindle".

Influenced by French fusée, "spindleful of hemp fiber" and from outdated English fusee, "musket fired by a fuse".

The reference to "a device that breaks an electrical circuit" was first recorded in 1884; and it was named because of its shape and it was not derived from the origin of this "Italian fuse".

1. To join or to become joined because of heat or a chemical reaction: "The melted metals fused with each other."
2. To join or to combine different things together: "Their musical compositions are fusing a variety of classical pieces."

1. A fuse that is ignited by a self-contained electronic element; for example, a proximity fuse or an electronically triggered device designed to detonate an explosive charge in a missile, etc., at a predetermined distance from the target.
2. A fuse; such as, the radio proximity fuse, set off by an electronic device incorporated within it.

A fuse that detonates a warhead when the target is within some specified region near the fuse.

Radio, radar, photoelectric, or other devices may be used as activating elements.