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safety fuse

safety fuse

4.2
A slow-burning cord used to light explosives from a safe distance
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪfti fjuːz/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mecha de seguridad
  • The safety fuse was lit, giving the workers time to retreat before the blast.

Examples

  • Miners rely on the safety fuse to ensure detonations occur at a safe distance.

  • Before using explosives, always check that the safety fuse is properly installed.

  • The technician replaced the safety fuse before starting the experiment.

  • A safety fuse is crucial for handling explosives.

  • The construction workers used a safety fuse to ensure a safe distance while detonating the explosives.

  • To avoid accidents, always make sure the safety fuse is properly connected before starting the detonation process.

  • When preparing for a blast, the safety fuse must be checked for any damage to ensure it will ignite correctly.

Synonyms

fuse
vssafety fuse
  • Specialized
69 6.1

A cord filled with burning material used to light explosives

is slower burning and built for safe ignition from a distance
igniter
vssafety fuse
  • Specialized
5 4.6

A device that makes a flame to start fuel burning

is a slow cord meant for safe distant ignition rather than quick starting
fuze
vssafety fuse
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small part that starts the burning of explosive material in a shell or rocket

is slow-burning and designed for safe distant ignition instead of a tiny device
slow match
vssafety fuse
  • Archaic
9.9

A cord soaked to burn slowly used to light guns or cannons

is used for controlled remote ignition of detonators at a safe distance
time-fuse
vssafety fuse
  • NSFW
8.4

A small burning part set to burn for a fixed time before a bomb or shell explodes

focuses on exact burn timing to cause detonation rather than safe remote ignition
fuzee
vssafety fuse
  • UK
9.9

A small device that starts the burning of explosives or fireworks

is meant to burn slowly for safe remote detonation rather than lighting propellant
ignitor
vssafety fuse
  • Specialized
6.7

A small device that makes a spark or flame to light fuel

is slow-burning and used for remote detonation, not instant spark ignition

Surface Forms

safety fuse singular
safety fuses plural

Morphology

safety + fuse

This is a simple modifier+head compound where 'safety' describes the purpose of the 'fuse' (i.e., a fuse designed to provide safety or safe ignition). A B1 learner who knows 'safety' and 'fuse' can reasonably infer it refers to a fuse used to make ignition safer (a slow-burning or safety-designed fuse); the composition is literal and cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

Safety fuse is a slow-burning cord called a fuse that you light to carry fire from a distance and 'give time' for people to move to a 'safe distance', so it makes using explosives safer.