Defuse

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  defuse \de*fuse"\ (d[-e]*f[=u]z"), v. t. [Cf. {Diffuse}.]
     1. To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To remove the fuse from; to deactivate (a bomb or other
        explosive device) or make it ineffective.


  
     Syn: deactivate.
          [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
  
     3. To make less dangerous; as, to defuse a tense
        confrontation between demonstrators and police.
        [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  defuse
       v : remove the triggering device from [ant: {fuse}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  18 Moby Thesaurus words for "defuse":
     allay, appease, calm, conciliate, cool, dulcify, lay, lay the dust,
     mollify, pacify, placate, pour balm on, propitiate, smooth,
     smooth down, smooth over, soothe, tranquilize