defuse
English edit
Etymology 1 edit
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
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 edit
The words defuse and diffuse are sometimes confused.
Related terms edit
Translations edit
to remove the fuse from a bomb
|
to make something less dangerous
|
Etymology 2 edit
Compare diffuse.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
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[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], line 2:
- If but as well I other accents borrow / That can my speech defuse,