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defuse

 - 2 dictionary results

de⋅fuse

  [dee-fyooz] verb, -fused, -fus⋅ing.
Use defuse in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to remove the fuze from (a bomb, mine, etc.).
2. to make less dangerous, tense, or embarrassing: to defuse a potentially ugly situation.
–verb (used without object)
3. to grow less dangerous; weaken.
Also, defuze.

Origin:
1940–45; de- + fuse 1

Related forms:
de⋅fus⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To defuse
de·fuse   (dē-fyōōz')   
tr.v.   de·fused, de·fus·ing, de·fus·es

  1. To remove the fuse from (an explosive device).

  2. To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile: a diplomatic move that defused the international crisis.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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