What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Fume vs Fuse - What's the difference?

fume | fuse |

As nouns the difference between fume and fuse

is that fume is a gas or vapour/vapor that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale. Fumes are solid particles formed by condensation from the gaseous state, e.g. metal oxides from volatilized metals. They can flocculate and coalesce. Their particle size is between 0.1 and 1 micron. (A micron is one millionth of a metre while fuse is (also fuze in US) A cord that, when lit, conveys the fire to some explosive device.

As verbs the difference between fume and fuse

is that fume is to emit fumes while fuse is to melt together; to blend; to mix indistinguishably.

fume

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A gas or vapour/vapor that smells strongly or is dangerous to inhale. Fumes are solid particles formed by condensation from the gaseous state, e.g. metal oxides from volatilized metals. They can flocculate and coalesce. Their particle size is between 0.1 and 1 micron. (A micron is one millionth of a metre)
  • Don't stand around in there breathing the fumes while the adhesive cures.
  • * T. Warton
  • the fumes of new shorn hay
  • A material that has been vaporized from the solid state to the gas state and re-coalesced to the solid state.
  • Rage or excitement which deprives the mind of self-control.
  • the fumes of passion
    (South)
  • Anything unsubstantial or airy; idle conceit; vain imagination.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • a show of fumes and fancies
  • The incense of praise; inordinate flattery.
  • * Burton
  • to smother him with fumes and eulogies

    Verb

    (fum)
  • To emit fumes.
  • * Milton
  • where the golden altar fumed
  • * Roscommon
  • Silenus lay, / Whose constant cups lay fuming to his brain.
  • To expose something (especially wood) to ammonia fumes in order to produce dark tints.
  • To feel or express great anger.
  • He's still fuming about the argument they had yesterday.
  • * Dryden
  • He frets, he fumes , he stares, he stamps the ground.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • Her mother did fret, and her father did fume .
  • To be as in a mist; to be dulled and stupefied.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Keep his brain fuming .
  • To pass off in fumes or vapours.
  • * Cheyne
  • Their parts are kept from fuming away by their fixity.

    Usage notes

    * In the sense of strong-smelling or dangerous vapor, the noun is typically plural, as in the example. ----

    fuse

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) fuso and (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (also'' fuze ''in US ) A cord that, when lit, conveys the fire to some explosive device.
  • (industry, mining, military) The mechanism that ignites the charge in an explosive device.
  • A device to prevent the overloading of an electrical circuit.
  • Indicating a tendency to lose one's temper.
  • When talking about being laid off, he has a short fuse.

    Etymology 2

    From fusion, "to melt" (back-formation).

    Verb

    (fus)
  • To melt together; to blend; to mix indistinguishably.
  • To melt together.
  • To furnish with or install a fuse.