defuse
|de/fuse|
B2
🇺🇸
/dɪˈfjuz/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈfjuːz/
reduce tension
Etymology
Etymology Information
'defuse' originates from the prefix 'de-' meaning 'remove' and 'fuse' from the Latin 'fusus', meaning 'spindle'.
Historical Evolution
'defuse' was formed in the 20th century by combining 'de-' with 'fuse', reflecting the action of removing a fuse from an explosive device.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to remove a fuse', but it evolved to also mean 'to reduce tension in a situation'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to remove the fuse from an explosive device, making it safe.
The bomb squad was called to defuse the explosive.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/06 13:36