fubsy ['fəb-zē] -adj

  1. chubby and somewhat squat

fuch·sia ['fyü-shə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Fuchsia) of ornamental shrubs of the evening-primrose family having showy nodding flowers usu. in deep pinks, reds, and purples
  2. a vivid reddish purple

fuch·sin ['fyük-sən, -,sēn] -n

  1. a dye that is produced by oxidation of a mixture of aniline and toluidines and yields a brilliant bluish red

fuck ['fək] -vb

  1. copulate
  2. mess used with with
  3. to engage in coitus with sometimes used interjectionally with an object (as a personal or reflexive pronoun) to express anger, contempt, or disgust
  4. to deal with unfairly or harshly : cheat, screw
  5. an act of copulation
  6. a sexual partner
  7. damn
  8. used esp. with the as a meaningless intensive
    • what the fuck do they want from me
  9. fucker

fuckedup ['fəkt-'əp] -adj

  1. thoroughly confused, disordered, or damaged

fuck·er ['fə-kər] -n

  1. one that fucks often used as a generalized term of abuse

fuck·ing ['fə-kiŋ, -kin] -adj or adv

  1. damned used as an intensive

fuck off -vi

  1. scram usu. used as a command

fuck up ['fək-,əp] -vi, n

  1. to act foolishly or stupidly : blunder
  2. to ruin or spoil esp. through stupidity or carelessness : bungle

fu·coid ['fyü-,kȯid] -adj

  1. relating to or resembling the rockweeds

fucoid -n

  1. a fucoid seaweed or fossil

fu·cose ['fyü-,kōs, -,kōz] -n

  1. an aldose sugar that occurs in bound form in the dextrorotatory form in various glycosides and in the levorotatory form in some brown algae and in mammalian polysaccharides typical of some blood groups

fu·co·xan·thin [,fyü-kō-'zan-thən] -n

  1. a brown carotenoid pigment C 40H 60O 6occurring esp. in the chloroplasts of brown algae

fu·cus ['fyü-kəs] -n

  1. a face paint
  2. any of a genus ( Fucus) of leathery marine brown algae of rocky intertidal zones that are a source of algin and have been used as fertilizer
  3. any of various brown algae

fud ['fəd] -n

  1. fuddy-duddy

FUD -abbr

  1. fear, uncertainty, doubt

fud·dle ['fə-dᵊl] -vb

  1. booze, tipple
  2. to make drunk : intoxicate
  3. to make confused : muddle
    • corridors, archways, recesses...combined to fuddle any sense of direction -- Elizabeth Bowen

fud·dydud·dy ['fə-dē-,də-dē] -n, adj

  1. one that is old-fashioned, unimaginative, or conservative

fudge ['fəj] -vb

  1. to devise as a substitute : fake
  2. falsify
    • fudged the figures
  3. to fail to come to grips with : dodge
    • fudged the issue
  4. to exceed the proper bounds or limits of something
    • feel that the author has fudged a little on the...rules for crime fiction -- Newsweek
  5. cheat
    • fudging on an exam
  6. to fail to perform as expected
  7. to avoid commitment : hedge
    • the government's tendency to fudge on delicate matters of policy -- Claire Sterling
  8. foolish nonsense often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief
  9. a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring
  10. something that is fudged
  11. a bending of rules or a compromise

fudge factor -n

  1. an arbitrary mathematical term inserted into a calculation in order to arrive at an expected solution or to allow for errors esp. of underestimation
  2. any arbitrary unspecified factor

fu dog ['fü-] -n

(variant of foo dog)

  1. a mythical lion-dog used as a decorative motif in Far Eastern art

fu·el ['fyü(-ə)l] -n

  1. a material used to produce heat or power by burning
  2. nutritive material
  3. a material from which atomic energy can be liberated esp. in a reactor
  4. a source of sustenance or incentive : reinforcement

fuel -vb

  1. to provide with fuel
  2. support, stimulate
    • movement is fuel ed by massive grants-in-aid -- Allen Schick
  3. to take in fuel often used with up

fuel cell -n

  1. a device that continuously changes the chemical energy of a fuel (as hydrogen) and an oxidant directly into electrical energy

fuel injection ['fyül-in-'jek-təd] -n, adj

  1. a usu. electronically-controlled system for injecting a precise amount of atomized fuel into the cylinders or the intake airstream of an internal combustion engine

fuel oil -n

  1. an oil that is used for fuel and that usu. has a higher flash point than kerosene

fuel·wood ['fyü(-ə)l-,wu̇d] -n

  1. wood grown or used for fuel

fug ['fəg] -n, adj

  1. the stuffy atmosphere of a poorly ventilated space
  2. a stuffy or malodorous emanation
  3. to loll indoors in a stuffy atmosphere
  4. to make stuffy and odorous

fu·ga·cious [fyü-'gā-shəs] -adj

  1. lasting a short time : evanescent

fu·gac·i·ty [fyü-'ga-sə-tē] -n

  1. the vapor pressure of a vapor assumed to be an ideal gas obtained by correcting the determined vapor pressure and useful as a measure of the escaping tendency of a substance from a heterogeneous system

fu·gal ['fyü-gəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being in the style of a musical fugue

fu·gi·tive ['fyü-jə-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. running away or intending flight
    • a fugitive slave
    • a fugitive debtor
  2. moving from place to place : wandering
  3. being of short duration
  4. difficult to grasp or retain : elusive
  5. likely to evaporate, deteriorate, change, fade, or disappear
    • dyed with fugitive colors
  6. being of transient interest
    • fugitive essays

fugitive -n

  1. a person who flees or tries to escape
  2. refugee
  3. something elusive or hard to find

fu·gle·man ['fyü-gəl-mən] -n

  1. a trained soldier formerly posted in front of a line of soldiers at drill to serve as a model in their exercises
  2. one at the head or forefront of a group or movement

fu·gu ['f(y)ü-(,)gü] -n

  1. any of various very poisonous puffer fishes (family Tetraodontidae) that contain tetrodotoxin and that are used as food in Japan after the toxin-containing parts are removed

fugue ['fyüg] -n, vb

  1. a musical composition in which one or two themes are repeated or imitated by successively entering voices and contrapuntally developed in a continuous interweaving of the voice parts
  2. something that resembles a fugue esp. in interweaving repetitive elements
  3. a disturbed state of consciousness in which the one affected seems to perform acts in full awareness but upon recovery cannot recollect the acts performed

fuh·rer ['fyu̇r-ər, 'fir-] -n

  1. leader
  2. tyrant

fu·ji ['fü-(,)jē] -n

  1. a spun silk clothing fabric in plain weave orig. made in Japan

Fu·la ['fü-lə] -n

  1. a member of a mainly pastoral African people dispersed over savanna and desert from Senegal to eastern Sudan
  2. the language of the Fula people

Fu·la·ni ['fü-,lä-nē, fü-'] -n

  1. fula
  2. the Fula of northern Nigeria and adjacent areas
  3. fula

ful·crum ['fu̇l-krəm, 'fəl-] -n

  1. prop
  2. the support about which a lever turns
  3. one that supplies capability for action
  4. a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support

ful·fill [fu̇(l)-'fil also fə(l)-] -vt, n

  1. to make full : fill
    • her subtle, warm, and golden breath...fulfill s him with beatitude -- Alfred Tennyson
  2. to put into effect : execute
  3. to meet the requirements of (a business order)
  4. to bring to an end
  5. to measure up to : satisfy
  6. to convert into reality
  7. to develop the full potentialities of

ful·fill·ment [fu̇(l)-'fil-mənt also fə(l)-] -n

  1. the act or process of fulfilling
  2. the act or process of delivering a product (as a publication) to a customer

ful·gent ['fül-jənt, 'fəl-] -adj, adv

  1. dazzlingly bright : radiant

ful·gu·rant ['fu̇l-g(y)ə-rənt, 'fu̇l-jə-, 'fəl-] -adj

  1. flashing like lightning
  2. brilliant

ful·gu·ra·tion [,fu̇l-g(y)ə-'rā-shən, ,fu̇l-jə-, fəl-] -n, vt

  1. the act or process of flashing like lightning
  2. electrodesiccation

ful·gu·rite ['fu̇l-g(y)ə-,rīt, 'fu̇l-jə-, 'fəl-] -n

  1. an often tubular vitrified crust produced by the fusion of sand or rock by lightning

ful·gu·rous [-rəs] -adj

  1. flashing with lightning

ful·ham ['fu̇-ləm] -n

  1. a loaded die

fu·lig·i·nous [fyu̇-'li-jə-nəs] -adj, adv

  1. sooty
  2. obscure, murky
  3. having a dark or dusky color

full ['fu̇l also 'fəl] -adj

  1. containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
    • a bin full of corn
  2. complete esp. in detail, number, or duration
    • a full report
    • gone a full hour
    • my full share
  3. lacking restraint, check, or qualification
    • full retreat
    • full support
  4. having all distinguishing characteristics : enjoying all authorized rights and privileges
    • full member
    • full professor
  5. not lacking in any essential : perfect
    • in full control of your senses
  6. completely occupied by runners
    • came to bat with the bases full
  7. having three balls and two strikes
    • a full count
  8. being at the highest or greatest degree : maximum
    • full speed
    • full strength
  9. being at the height of development
    • full bloom
  10. being a full moon : completely illuminated
    • the moon is full tonight
  11. rounded in outline
    • a full figure
  12. possessing or containing a great number or amount used with of
    • a room full of pictures
    • full of hope
  13. having an abundance of material esp. in the form of gathered, pleated, or flared parts
    • a full skirt
  14. rich in experience
    • a full life
  15. satisfied esp. with food or drink
  16. large enough to satisfy
    • a full meal
  17. completely weary
  18. having both parents in common
    • full sisters
  19. having volume or depth of sound
    • full tones
  20. completely occupied esp. with a thought or plan
    • full of his own concerns
  21. possessing a rich or pronounced quality
    • a food of full flavor
  22. very, extremely
    • knew full well they had lied to me
  23. entirely
    • swung full around -- Morley Callaghan
  24. straight, squarely
    • got hit full in the face
  25. used as an intensive
    • wound up winning by a full four strokes -- William Johnson
  26. the highest or fullest state or degree
    • the full of the moon
  27. the utmost extent
    • enjoy to the full
  28. to become full
  29. to make full in sewing
  30. to shrink and thicken (woolen cloth) by moistening, heating, and pressing

full·back ['fu̇l-,bak] -n

  1. an offensive football back used primarily for line plunges and blocking
  2. a primarily defensive player usu. stationed nearest the defended goal (as in soccer or field hockey)

full blast -adv

  1. at full capacity : with great intensity

fullblood ['fu̇l-,bləd] -adj

  1. full-blooded
  2. a full-blooded individual

fullblood·ed ['fu̇l-,blə-dəd] -adj, n

  1. of unmixed ancestry : purebred
  2. florid, ruddy
    • of fullblooded face
  3. forceful
    • fullblooded prose style
  4. lacking no particulars : genuine
  5. containing fullness of substance : rich

fullblown [-'blōn] -adj

  1. fully mature
  2. being at the height of bloom
  3. full-fledged
  4. possessing or exhibiting all the usual or necessary features or symptoms
    • a general philosophy, if not a fullblown ideology, is emerging -- W. H. Jones
    • developed fullblown AIDS

fullbod·ied [-,bä-dēd] -adj

  1. having a large body
  2. imparting to the palate the general impression of substantial weight and rich texture
  3. having importance, significance, or meaningfulness
    • fullbodied study of literature

fullbore ['fu̇l-'bȯr] -adj

  1. full-blown
    • a fullbore crisis
  2. made with maximum effort
    • a fullbore attempt to succeed

full bore -adv

  1. with maximum effort or speed
    • runners sprinting full bore

full circle -adv

  1. through a series of developments that lead back to the original source, position, or situation or to a complete reversal of the original position usu. used in the phrase come full circle

fullcourt press -n

  1. a press employed in basketball on both halves of the court
  2. an all-out effort or offensive

fulldress -adj

  1. involving attention to every detail in preparation or execution
    • a fulldress rehearsal
    • a fulldress investigation

full dress -n

  1. the style of dress prescribed for ceremonial or formal social occasions

full·er ['fu̇-lər] -n

  1. one that fulls cloth

ful·ler ['fu̇-lər] -n

  1. a blacksmithing hammer for grooving and spreading iron

ful·ler·ene [,fu̇-lə-'rēn] -n

  1. any of a class of closed hollow aromatic carbon compounds whose structures are made up of twelve pentagonal and differing numbers of hexagonal faces
  2. one having a roughly spherical shape

fuller's earth -n

  1. an earthy substance that consists chiefly of clay mineral but lacks plasticity and that is used as an adsorbent, a filter medium, and a carrier for catalysts

ful·ler's teasel -n

  1. teasel

fullfash·ioned ['fu̇l-'fa-shənd] -adj

  1. employing or produced by a knitting process for shaping to conform to body lines
    • fullfashioned hosiery

fullfledged [-'flejd] -adj

  1. fully developed : total, complete
    • a fullfledged biography
  2. having attained complete status
    • fullfledged lawyer
  3. full-blown
    • a fullfledged reunion

full house -n

  1. a poker hand containing three of a kind and a pair

fulllength ['fu̇l-,leŋ(k)th] -adj

  1. showing or adapted to the entire length esp. of the human figure
    • a fulllength mirror
    • a fulllength dress
  2. having a length as great as that which is normal or standard for one of its kind
    • a fulllength play

full marks -n pl

  1. due credit or commendation

full moon -n

  1. the moon with its whole apparent disk illuminated

full·mouthed ['fu̇l-'mau̇thd, -'mau̇tht] -adj

  1. having a full complement of teeth
    • fullmouthed ewes
  2. uttered loudly

full nelson -n

  1. a wrestling hold gained from behind an opponent by thrusting the arms under the opponent's arms and clasping the hands behind the opponent's head

full·ness ['fu̇l-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being full

fullon ['fu̇l-,ȯn-, -,än] -adj

  1. complete, full-fledged

fullout [-,au̇t] -adj

  1. complete, total
    • a fullout effort

fullscale [-,skāl] -adj

  1. identical to an original in proportion and size
    • fullscale drawing
  2. involving full use of available resources
    • a fullscale biography
    • fullscale war
  3. total, complete
    • a fullscale musical renaissance -- Current Biog.

fullser·vice [-'sər-vəs] -adj

  1. providing comprehensive service of a particular kind
    • a fullservice bank

fullsize [-,sīz] -adj

  1. having the usual or normal size of its kind
  2. having the dimensions 54 by 75 inches (about 1.4 by 1.9 meters) used of a bed

full stop -n

  1. period

fullterm ['fu̇l-,tərm] -adj

  1. retained in the uterus for the normal period of gestation before birth
    • a fullterm newborn

full tilt -adv

  1. at high speed
    • running full tilt

fulltime -adj, adv

  1. employed for or involving full time
    • fulltime employees
    • fulltime work
  2. devoting one's full attention and energies to something
    • a fulltime gambler

full time -n

  1. the amount of time considered the normal or standard amount for working during a given period

fulltim·er ['fu̇l-'tī-mər] -n

  1. a person who works full-time

ful·ly ['fu̇(l)-lē] -adv

  1. in a full manner or degree : completely
  2. at least
    • fully nine tenths of us

ful·mar ['fu̇l-mər, -,mär] -n

  1. a seabird ( Fulmarus glacialis) of colder northern seas closely related to the petrels
  2. a related bird ( F. glacialoides) of circumpolar distribution in colder southern seas

ful·mi·nant ['fu̇l-mə-nənt, 'fəl-] -adj

  1. coming on suddenly and with great severity
    • fulminant disease

ful·mi·nate [-,nāt] -vb, n

  1. to utter or send out with denunciation
    • fulminate a decree
  2. to send forth censures or invectives

fulminate -n

  1. an often explosive salt (as mercury fulminate) containing the group CNO

fulminating -adj

  1. hurling denunciations or menaces
  2. explosive
  3. fulminant

ful·mine ['fu̇l-mən, 'fəl-] -vb

  1. fulminate

ful·some ['fu̇l-səm] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by abundance : copious
    • describes in fulsome detail -- G. N. Shuster
    • fulsome bird life. The feeder overcrowded -- Maxine Kumin
  2. generous in amount, extent, or spirit
    • the passengers were fulsome in praise of the plane's crew -- Don Oliver
    • a fulsome victory for the far left -- Bruce Rothwell
    • the greetings have been fulsome, the farewells tender -- Simon Gray
  3. being full and well developed
    • she was in generally fulsome, limpid voice -- Thor Eckert, Jr.
  4. aesthetically, morally, or generally offensive
    • fulsome lies and nauseous flattery -- William Congreve
    • the devil take thee for a...fulsome rogue -- George Villiers
  5. exceeding the bounds of good taste : overdone
    • the fulsome chromium glitter of the escalators dominating the central hall -- Lewis Mumford
  6. excessively complimentary or flattering : effusive
    • an admiration whose extent I did not express, lest I be thought fulsome -- A. J. Liebling

ful·vous ['fu̇l-vəs, 'fəl-] -adj

  1. of a dull brownish yellow : tawny

Fu Man·chu mustache [,fü-(,)man-'chü-] -n

  1. a long mustache with ends that turn down to the chin

fu·ma·rase ['fyü-mə-,rās, -,rāz] -n

  1. an enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion (as in the Krebs cycle) of fumaric acid and malic acid or their salts

fu·ma·rate [-,rāt] -n

  1. a salt or ester of fumaric acid

fu·mar·ic acid [fyu̇-'mer-ik-, -'ma-rik-] -n

  1. a crystalline acid C 4H 4O 4found in various plants or made synthetically

fu·ma·role ['fyü-mə-,rōl] -n, adj

  1. a hole in a volcanic region from which hot gases and vapors issue

fum·ble ['fəm-bəl] -vb, n, adv

  1. to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly
  2. to make awkward attempts to do or find something
    • fumbled in his pocket for a coin
  3. to search by trial and error
  4. blunder
  5. to feel one's way or move awkwardly
  6. to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder
  7. to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
  8. to bring about by clumsy manipulation
  9. to feel or handle clumsily
  10. to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
  11. to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
  12. misplay
    • fumble a grounder
  13. to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

fumble -n

  1. an act or instance of fumbling
  2. a fumbled ball

fume ['fyüm] -n, adj

  1. a smoke, vapor, or gas esp. when irritating or offensive
    • engine exhaust fume s
  2. an often noxious suspension of particles in a gas (as air)
  3. something (as an emotion) that impairs one's reasoning
    • sometimes his head gets a little hot with the fume s of patriotism -- Matthew Arnold
  4. a state of excited irritation or anger usu. used in the phrase in a fume
  5. to expose to or treat with fumes
  6. to give off in fumes
    • fuming thick black smoke
  7. to utter while in a state of excited irritation or anger
  8. to emit fumes
  9. to be in a state of excited irritation or anger
    • fretted and fumed over the delay
  10. to rise in or as if in fumes

fu·met [fyü-'mā, 'fyü-mət] -n

  1. a reduced and seasoned fish, meat, or vegetable stock

fu·mi·gant ['fyü-mi-gənt] -n

  1. a substance used in fumigating

fu·mi·gate ['fyü-mə-,gāt] -vt, n

  1. to apply smoke, vapor, or gas to esp. for the purpose of disinfecting or of destroying pests

fu·mi·to·ry ['fyü-mə-,tȯr-ē] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Fumariaof the family Fumariaceae, the fumitory family) of erect or climbing herbs
  2. a common European herb ( F. officinalis)

fun ['fən] -n

  1. what provides amusement or enjoyment
  2. playful often boisterous action or speech
    • full of fun
  3. a mood for finding or making amusement
    • all in fun
  4. amusement, enjoyment
    • sickness takes all the fun out of life
  5. derisive jest : sport, ridicule
    • a figure of fun
  6. violent or excited activity or argument
  7. to indulge in banter or play : joke
  8. providing entertainment, amusement, or enjoyment
    • a fun party
    • a fun person to be with
  9. full of fun : pleasant
    • have a fun time

fu·nam·bu·lism [fyu̇-'nam-byə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. tightrope walking
  2. a show esp. of mental agility

fun and games -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. light amusement

func·tion ['fəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj

  1. professional or official position : occupation
  2. the action for which a person or thing is specially fitted or used or for which a thing exists : purpose
  3. any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action
  4. the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism
  5. an official or formal ceremony or social gathering
  6. a mathematical correspondence that assigns exactly one element of one set to each element of the same or another set
  7. a variable (as a quality, trait, or measurement) that depends on and varies with another
    • height is a function of age
  8. result
    • illnesses that are a function of stress
  9. characteristic behavior of a chemical compound due to a particular reactive unit
  10. functional group
  11. a computer subroutine
  12. one that performs a calculation with variables provided by a program and supplies the program with a single result

function [-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vi

  1. to have a function : serve
    • an attributive noun function s as an adjective
  2. to carry on a function or be in action : operate

func·tion·al ['fəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, connected with, or being a function
  2. affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure
    • functional heart disease
  3. used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole
    • functional and practical school courses
  4. designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use
  5. performing or able to perform a regular function

functional calculus -n

  1. predicate calculus

functional food -n

  1. nutraceutical

functional group -n

  1. a characteristic reactive unit of a chemical compound esp. in organic chemistry

functional illiterate -n, adj

  1. a person who has had some schooling but does not meet a minimum standard of literacy

func·tion·al·ism ['fəŋ(k)-shnə-,li-zəm, -shə-nə-,li-] -n, adj

  1. a late 19th century to early 20th century American school of psychology concerned esp. with how the mind functions to adapt the individual to the environment
  2. a philosophy of design (as in architecture) holding that form should be adapted to use, material, and structure
  3. a theory that stresses the interdependence of the patterns and institutions of a society and their interaction in maintaining cultural and social unity
  4. a doctrine or practice that emphasizes practical utility or functional relations

func·tion·al·i·ty [,fəŋ(k)-shə-'na-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being functional
  2. the particular set of functions or capabilities associated with computer software or hardware or an electronic device

functional magnetic resonance imaging -n

  1. magnetic resonance imaging used to detect physical changes (as of blood flow) in the brain resulting from increased neuronal activity called also functional MRI

functional shift -n

  1. the process by which a word or form comes to be used in another grammatical function

func·tion·ary ['fəŋ(k)-shə-,ner-ē] -n

  1. one who serves in a certain function
  2. one holding office in a government or political party

function key -n

  1. any of a set of keys on a computer keyboard that have or can be programmed to have special functions

function word -n

  1. a word (as a preposition, auxiliary verb, or conjunction) expressing primarily grammatical relationship

func·tor ['fəŋ(k)-tər] -n

  1. something that performs a function or an operation

fund ['fənd] -n

  1. a sum of money or other resources whose principal or interest is set apart for a specific objective
  2. money on deposit on which checks or drafts can be drawn usu. used in pl.
  3. capital
  4. the stock of the British national debt usu. used with the
  5. an available quantity of material or intangible resources : supply
  6. available pecuniary resources
  7. an organization administering a special fund
  8. to make provision of resources for discharging the interest or principal of
  9. to provide funds for
    • a federally fund ed program
  10. to place in a fund : accumulate
  11. to convert into a debt that is payable either at a distant date or at no definite date and that bears a fixed interest
    • fund a floating debt
  12. fundamental

fun·da·ment ['fən-də-mənt] -n

  1. an underlying ground, theory, or principle
  2. buttocks
  3. anus
  4. the part of a land surface that has not been altered by human activities

fun·da·men·tal [,fən-də-'men-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. serving as an original or generating source : primary
    • a discovery fundamental to modern computers
  2. serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : basic
  3. of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts : radical
    • fundamental change
  4. of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application
    • fundamental science
  5. adhering to fundamentalism
  6. of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration
  7. of central importance : principal
    • fundamental purpose
  8. belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics : deep-rooted
    • her fundamental good humor

fundamental -n

  1. something fundamental
  2. one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is
  3. the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
  4. the root of a chord
  5. the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude

fundamental group -n

  1. a set that is a subset of all paths defined on a set of points each pair of which is joined by a path and that is the quotient group of the group of all paths beginning and ending in a given point

fun·da·men·tal·ism [-tə-,li-zəm] -n, adj

  1. a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching
  2. the beliefs of this movement
  3. adherence to such beliefs
  4. a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
    • Islamic fundamentalism
    • political fundamentalism

fundamental law -n

  1. the organic or basic law of a political unit as distinguished from legislative acts
  2. constitution

fundamental particle -n

  1. elementary particle

fun·dic ['fən-dik] -adj

  1. of or relating to a fundus

fundrais·er ['fənd-,rā-zər] -n

  1. a person employed to raise funds
  2. a social event (as a cocktail party) held for the purpose of raising funds

fundrais·ing [-ziŋ] -n

  1. the organized activity of raising funds (as for an institution or political cause)

fun·dus ['fən-dəs] -n

  1. : the bottom of or part opposite the aperture of the internal surface of a hollow organ: as
  2. the greater curvature of the stomach
  3. the lower back part of the bladder
  4. the large upper end of the uterus
  5. the part of the eye opposite the pupil

fu·ner·al ['fyün-rəl, 'fyü-nə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a funeral
  2. funereal

funeral -n

  1. the observances held for a dead person usu. before burial or cremation
  2. a funeral sermon
  3. a funeral procession
  4. an end of something's existence
  5. a matter of concern to one : worry
    • if you flunk, it's your funeral

funeral director -n

  1. one whose profession is the management of funerals and who is usu. an embalmer

funeral home -n

  1. an establishment with facilities for the preparation of the dead for burial or cremation, for the viewing of the body, and for funerals called also funeral parlor

fu·ner·ary ['fyü-nə-,rer-ē] -adj

  1. of, used for, or associated with burial
    • a pharaoh's funerary chamber

fu·ne·re·al [fyu̇-'nir-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a funeral
  2. befitting or suggesting a funeral (as in solemnity)

fun·fair ['fən-,fer] -n

  1. amusement park

fun·gal ['fəŋ-gəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of fungi
  2. caused by a fungus
    • a fungal skin disease

fungi- -comb form

  1. fungus
    • fungi form

fun·gi·ble ['fən-jə-bəl] -n

  1. something that is fungible usu. used in pl.

fungible [,fən-jə-'bi-lə-tē] -adj, n

  1. being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation
    • oil, wheat, and lumber are fungible commodities
  2. interchangeable
  3. flexible

fun·gi·cid·al [,fən-jə-'sī-dᵊl, ,fəŋ-gə-] -adj, adv

  1. antifungal

fun·gi·cide ['fən-jə-,sīd, 'fəŋ-gə-] -n

  1. an agent that destroys fungi or inhibits their growth

fun·gi·form ['fən-jə-,fȯrm, 'fəŋ-gə-] -adj

  1. shaped like a mushroom

fun·gi·stat·ic [,fən-jə-'sta-tik] -adj

  1. inhibiting the growth of fungi without destroying them

fun·go ['fəŋ-(,)gō] -n

  1. a fly ball hit esp. for practice fielding by a player who tosses a ball in the air and hits it as it comes down
  2. fungo bat

fungo bat -n

  1. a long thin bat used for hitting fungoes

fun·goid ['fəŋ-,gȯid] -adj, n

  1. resembling, characteristic of, caused by, or being a fungus
    • a fungoid growth

fun·gous ['fəŋ-gəs] -adj

  1. fungal

fun·gus ['fəŋ-gəs] -n

  1. any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

fungus gnat -n

  1. any of various small dipteran flies (families Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae) resembling mosquitoes and having larvae that feed on fungi and decaying organic matter

fun house -n

  1. a building in an amusement park that contains various devices designed to startle or amuse

fu·nic·u·lar [fyu̇-'ni-kyə-lər, fə-] -adj

  1. having the form of or associated with a cord usu. under tension
  2. of, relating to, or being a funiculus
  3. of, relating to, or being a funicular
    • a funicular system

funicular -n

  1. a cable railway ascending a mountain
  2. one in which an ascending car counterbalances a descending car

fu·nic·u·lus [-ləs] -n

  1. a bodily structure suggesting a cord
  2. a bundle of nerve fibers
  3. the stalk of a plant ovule

funk ['fəŋk] -n

  1. a strong offensive smell
  2. to become frightened and shrink back
  3. to be afraid of : dread
  4. to shrink from undertaking or facing
  5. a state of paralyzing fear
  6. a depressed state of mind
  7. one that funks : coward
  8. slump
    • an economic funk
    • the team went into a funk
  9. music that combines traditional forms of black music (as blues, gospel, or soul) and is characterized by a strong backbeat
  10. the quality or state of being funky
    • jeans...have lost much of their funk -- Tom Wolfe

funk hole -n

  1. dugout
  2. a place of safe retreat

fun·kia ['fəŋ-kē-ə, 'fu̇ŋ-] -n

  1. hosta

funky ['fəŋ-kē] -adj

  1. being in a funk : panicky
  2. having an offensive odor : foul
  3. having an earthy unsophisticated style and feeling
  4. having the style and feeling of older black American music (as blues or gospel) or of funk
    • a slick, heavy beat that is unmistakably contemporary and irresistibly funky -- Jay Cocks
  5. odd or quaint in appearance or feeling
  6. lacking style or taste
  7. unconventionally stylish : hip

fun·nel ['fə-nᵊl] -n

  1. a utensil that is usu. a hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end and that is designed to catch and direct a downward flow
  2. something shaped like a funnel
  3. a stack or flue for the escape of smoke or for ventilation (as on a ship)

funnel -vb

  1. to have or take the shape of a funnel
  2. to pass through or as if through a funnel or conduit
    • the crowd funnel s through the doors
  3. to form in the shape of a funnel
    • funnel ed his hands and shouted through them
  4. to move to a focal point or into a conduit or central channel
    • contributions were funnel ed into one account

funnel cloud -n

  1. a funnel-shaped cloud that projects from the base of a thundercloud and that often precedes the formation of a tornado
  2. tornado

fun·nel·form ['fə-nᵊl-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. having the form of a funnel or cone
    • funnelform flowers

fun·ny ['fə-nē] -adj, adv, n

  1. affording light mirth and laughter : amusing
  2. seeking or intended to amuse : facetious
  3. differing from the ordinary in a suspicious, perplexing, quaint, or eccentric way : peculiar often used as a sentence modifier
    • funny, things didn't turn out the way we planned
  4. involving trickery or deception
    • told his prisoner not to try anything funny

funny -n

  1. one that is funny
  2. joke
  3. comic strips or the comic section of a periodical usu. used with the

funny bone -n

  1. the place at the back of the elbow where the ulnar nerve rests against a prominence of the humerus
  2. a sense of humor

funny book -n

  1. comic book

funny car -n

  1. a specialized dragster that has a one-piece molded body resembling the body of a mass-produced car

funny farm -n

  1. a psychiatric hospital

fun·ny·man ['fə-nē-,man] -n

  1. comedian , humorist

funny money -n

  1. artificially inflated currency
  2. counterfeit money

funny paper -n

  1. a comic section of a newspaper

Fun·plex ['fən-,pleks] -trademark

  1. used for an entertainment complex with facilities for sports and games and often restaurants

FUO -abbr

  1. fever of undetermined origin; fever of unknown origin

fur ['fər] -vb

  1. to cover, line, trim, or clothe with fur
  2. to coat or clog as if with fur
  3. to apply furring to
  4. to become coated or clogged as if with fur
  5. a piece of the dressed pelt of an animal used to make, trim, or line wearing apparel
  6. an article of clothing made of or with fur
  7. the hairy coat of a mammal esp. when fine, soft, and thick
  8. such a coat with the skin
  9. : a coating resembling fur: as
  10. a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue
  11. the thick pile of a fabric (as chenille)
  12. furlong

fu·ran ['fyu̇r-,an, fyu̇-'ran] -n

  1. a cyclic flammable liquid compound C 4H 4O that is obtained from wood oils of pines or made synthetically and is used esp. in organic synthesis
  2. any of various derivatives of furan

fu·ra·nose ['fyu̇r-ə-,nōs, -,nōz] -n

  1. a sugar having an oxygen-containing ring of five atoms

fu·ran·o·side [fyu̇-'ra-nə-,sīd] -n

  1. a glycoside containing the ring characteristic of furanose

fu·ra·zol·i·done [,fyu̇r-ə-'zä-lə-,dōn] -n

  1. an antimicrobial drug C 8H 7N 3O 5used against bacteria and some protozoa esp. in infections of the gastrointestinal tract

fur·bear·er ['fər-,ber-ər] -n

  1. an animal that bears fur esp. of a commercially desired quality

fur·be·low ['fər-bə-,lō] -n, vt

  1. a pleated or gathered piece of material
  2. a flounce on women's clothing
  3. something that suggests a furbelow esp. in being showy or superfluous

fur·bish ['fər-bish] -vt, n

  1. to make lustrous : polish
  2. to give a new look to : renovate often used with up

fur·ca·tion [,fər-'kā-shən] -n

  1. something that is branched : fork
  2. the act or process of branching

fur·cu·la ['fər-kyə-lə] -n

  1. : a forked process or part: as
  2. wishbone
  3. the forked leaping appendage arising from the fourth abdominal segment of a springtail

fur·fu·ral ['fər-f(y)ə-,ral] -n

  1. a liquid aldehyde C 5H 4O 2of penetrating odor that is usu. made from plant materials and used esp. in making furan or phenolic resins and as a solvent

fu·ri·o·so [,fyu̇r-ē-'ō-(,)sō, -(,)zō] -adv or adj

  1. with great force or vigor used as a direction in music

fu·ri·ous ['fyu̇r-ē-əs] -adj, adv

  1. exhibiting or goaded by anger
  2. indicative of or proceeding from anger
  3. giving a stormy or turbulent appearance
    • furious bursts of flame
  4. marked by noise, excitement, activity, or rapidity
  5. intense
    • the furious growth of tropical vegetation

furl ['fər(-ə)l] -vb

  1. to wrap or roll (as a sail or a flag) close to or around something
  2. to curl or fold as in being furled
  3. a furled coil
  4. the act of furling

fur·long ['fər-,lȯŋ] -n

  1. a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters)

fur·lough ['fər-(,)lō] -n

  1. a leave of absence from duty granted esp. to a soldier
  2. a document authorizing such a leave of absence

furlough -vt

  1. to grant a furlough to
  2. to lay off from work

furmity ['frü-mən-tē] -n

(variant of frumenty)

  1. a dish of wheat boiled in milk and usu. sweetened and spiced

fur·nace ['fər-nəs] -n

  1. an enclosed structure in which heat is produced (as for heating a house or for reducing ore)

fur·nish ['fər-nish] -vt, n

  1. to provide with what is needed
  2. to equip with furniture
  3. supply, give
    • furnish ed food and shelter for the refugees

fur·nish·ing ['fər-ni-shiŋ] -n

  1. an article or accessory of dress usu. used in pl.
  2. an object that tends to increase comfort or utility
  3. an article of furniture for the interior of a building usu. used in pl.

fur·ni·ture ['fər-ni-chər] -n

  1. : equipment that is necessary, useful, or desirable: as
  2. the trappings of a horse
  3. movable articles used in readying an area (as a room or patio) for occupancy or use

furniture beetle -n

  1. a widespread beetle ( Anobium punctatumof the family Anobiidae) that bores in and damages furniture and seasoned wood

fu·ror ['fyu̇r-,ȯr, -ər] -n

  1. an angry or maniacal fit : rage
  2. fury
  3. a fashionable craze : vogue
  4. furious or hectic activity
  5. an outburst of public excitement or indignation : uproar

fu·rore ['fyu̇r-,ȯr, -ər, esp Brit fyu̇-'rȯ-ri] -n

  1. furor
  2. furor

fu·ro·se·mide [fyu̇-'rō-sə-,mīd] -n

  1. a powerful diuretic C 12H 11ClN 2O 5S used esp. to treat edema and hypertension

furred ['fərd] -adj

  1. lined, trimmed, or faced with fur
  2. coated as if with fur
  3. having a coating consisting chiefly of mucus and dead epithelial cells
    • a furred tongue
  4. bearing or wearing fur
  5. provided with furring
    • furred wall

fur·ri·er ['fər-ē-ər, 'fə-rē-] -n

  1. a fur dealer
  2. one that dresses furs
  3. one that makes, repairs, alters, or cleans fur garments

fur·ri·ery [-ə-rē] -n

  1. the fur business
  2. fur craftsmanship

fur·rin·er ['fər-ə-nər] -n

  1. foreigner used to represent a dial. pronunc.

fur·ring ['fər-iŋ] -n

  1. a fur trimming or lining
  2. the application of thin wood, brick, or metal to joists, studs, or walls to form a level surface (as for attaching wallboard) or an air space
  3. the material used in this process

fur·row ['fər-(,)ō, 'fə-(,)rō] -n

  1. a trench in the earth made by a plow
  2. plowed land : field
  3. : something that resembles the track of a plow: as
  4. a marked narrow depression : groove
  5. a deep wrinkle
    • furrow s in his brow

furrow -vt

  1. to make furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines in
  2. to make or form furrows, grooves, wrinkles, or lines

fur·ry ['fər-ē] -adj

  1. consisting of or resembling fur
    • animals with furry coats
  2. covered with fur
  3. thick in quality
    • spoke with a furry voice

fur seal -n

  1. any of two genera ( Callorhinusand Arctocephalus) of eared seals that have a double coat with a dense soft underfur

fur·ther ['fər-thər] -adv

  1. farther
    • my ponies are tired, and I have further to go -- Thomas Hardy
  2. in addition : moreover
  3. to a greater degree or extent
    • further annoyed by a second intrusion

further ['fərth-riŋ, 'fər-thə-] -vt, n

  1. to help forward : promote
  2. farther
    • rode...across the valley and up the further slopes -- T. E. Lawrence
  3. going or extending beyond : additional
    • further volumes
    • further education

fur·ther·ance ['fərth-rən(t)s, 'fər-thə-] -n

  1. the act of furthering : advancement

further education -n

  1. adult education

fur·ther·more ['fər-thə(r)-,mȯr] -adv

  1. in addition to what precedes : besides

fur·ther·most [-thər-,mōst] -adj

  1. most distant : farthest

fur·thest ['fər-thəst] -adv or adj

  1. farthest

fur·tive ['fər-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. done by stealth : surreptitious
  2. expressive of stealth : sly
    • had a furtive look about him
  3. obtained underhandedly : stolen

fu·run·cle ['fyu̇r-,əŋ-kəl] -n

  1. boil

fu·run·cu·lo·sis [fyu̇-,rəŋ-kyə-'lō-səs] -n

  1. the condition of having or tending to develop multiple furuncles
  2. a highly infectious disease of various salmonoid fishes (as trout) that is caused by a bacterium ( Aeromonas salmonicida) and is esp. virulent in dense fish populations (as in hatcheries)

fu·ry ['fyu̇r-ē] -n

  1. intense, disordered, and often destructive rage
  2. any of the avenging deities in Greek mythology who torment criminals and inflict plagues
  3. an avenging spirit
  4. one who resembles an avenging spirit
  5. a spiteful woman
  6. extreme fierceness or violence
  7. a state of inspired exaltation : frenzy

furze ['fərz] -n, adj

  1. gorse

fu·sar·i·um [fyü-'zer-ē-əm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Fusarium) of ascomycetous fungi having curved septate conidia which includes forms that are important agents of plant disease and others that produce mycotoxins implicated in human and animal disease
  2. a plant disease (as wilt or dry rot) caused by a fusarium

fus·cous ['fəs-kəs] -adj

  1. of any of several colors averaging a brownish gray

fuse ['fyüz] -vb

  1. to reduce to a liquid or plastic state by heat
  2. to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together : combine
  3. to stitch by applying heat and pressure with or without the use of an adhesive
  4. to become fluid with heat
  5. to fail because of the blowing of a fuse
  6. to become blended or joined by or as if by melting together
  7. an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage
  8. a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it
  9. a mechanical or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo
  10. to equip with a fuse

fused quartz -n

  1. quartz glass called also fused silica

fu·see [fyü-'zē] -n

  1. a conical spirally grooved pulley in a timepiece from which a cord or chain unwinds onto a cylinder containing the mainspring and which by its increasing diameter compensates for the lessening power of the spring
  2. a red signal flare used esp. for protecting stalled trains and trucks

fu·se·lage ['fyü-sə-,läzh, -zə-] -n

  1. the central body portion of an aircraft designed to accommodate the crew and the passengers or cargo

fu·sel oil ['fyü-zəl-] -n

  1. an acrid oily liquid occurring in insufficiently distilled alcoholic liquors, consisting chiefly of amyl alcohol, and used esp. as a source of alcohols and as a solvent

fus·ible ['fyü-zə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being fused and esp. liquefied by heat
    • fusible alloy

fu·si·form ['fyü-zə-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. tapering toward each end
    • fusiform bacteria

fu·sil ['fyü-zəl] -adj

  1. made by melting and pouring into forms : cast
  2. liquefied by heat
  3. fusible

fusil -n

  1. a light flintlock musket

fu·sil·ier [,fyü-zə-'lir] -n

  1. a soldier armed with a fusil
  2. a member of a British regiment formerly armed with fusils

fu·sil·lade ['fyü-sə-,läd, -,lād, ,fyü-sə-', -zə-] -n

  1. a number of shots fired simultaneously or in rapid succession
  2. something that gives the effect of a fusillade
    • a fusillade of rocks and bottles
  3. a spirited outburst esp. of criticism

fu·sil·li [fyü-'si-lē, -'sē-] -n

  1. spiral-shaped pasta

fu·sion ['fyü-zhᵊn] -n

  1. the act or process of liquefying or rendering plastic by heat
  2. : a union by or as if by melting: as
  3. a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole
  4. a political partnership : coalition
  5. popular music combining different styles (as jazz and rock)
  6. food prepared using techniques and ingredients of two or more ethnic or regional cuisines called also fusion cuisine
  7. the union of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei resulting in the release of enormous quantities of energy when certain light elements unite

fu·sion·ist ['fyü-zhə-nist] -n

  1. a person involved in a political fusion or in musical fusion

fuss ['fəs] -n

  1. needless bustle or excitement
  2. a show of flattering attention
    • made a big fuss over his favorite niece
  3. a state of agitation esp. over a trivial matter
  4. objection, protest
  5. an often petty controversy or quarrel
  6. to create or be in a state of restless activity
  7. to shower flattering attentions
    • fuss ing over the grandchildren
  8. to pay close or undue attention to small details
    • fuss ed with her hair
  9. to become upset : worry
  10. to express annoyance or pique : complain
  11. agitate, upset

fuss·bud·get ['fəs-,bə-jət] -n, adj

  1. one who fusses or is fussy esp. about trifles

fuss·pot ['fəs-,pät] -n

  1. fussbudget

fussy ['fə-sē] -adj, adv, n

  1. easily upset : irritable
  2. overly decorative
    • a fussy wallpaper pattern
  3. requiring or giving close attention to details
    • fussy bookkeeping procedures
  4. revealing a sometimes extreme concern for niceties : fastidious, picky

fus·tian ['fəs-chən] -n, adj

  1. a strong cotton and linen fabric
  2. a class of cotton fabrics usu. having a pile face and twill weave
  3. high-flown or affected writing or speech
  4. anything high-flown or affected in style

fus·tic ['fəs-tik] -n

  1. the wood of a tropical American tree ( Chlorophora tinctoria) of the mulberry family that yields a yellow dye
  2. any of several similar dyewoods

fus·ti·gate ['fəs-tə-,gāt] -vt, n

  1. cudgel
  2. to criticize severely

fus·ty ['fəs-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. impaired by age or dampness : moldy
  2. saturated with dust and stale odors : musty
  3. rigidly old-fashioned or reactionary

fu·su·li·nid [,fyü-zə-'lī-nid, -'lē-, -'li-] -n

  1. any of a family (Fusulinidae) of extinct marine foraminifers

fut -abbr

  1. future

fu·thark ['fü-,thärk] -n

  1. the runic alphabet

fu·tile ['fyü-tᵊl, 'fyü-,tī(-ə)l] -adj, adv, n

  1. serving no useful purpose : completely ineffective
    • efforts to convince him were futile
  2. occupied with trifles : frivolous

fu·til·i·tar·i·an [fyü-,ti-lə-'ter-ē-ən] -n, adj

  1. one who believes that human striving is futile

fu·til·i·ty [fyü-'ti-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being futile : uselessness
  2. a useless act or gesture
    • the futilities of debate for its own sake -- W. A. White

fu·ton ['fü-,tän] -n

  1. a usu. cotton-filled mattress used on the floor or in a frame as a bed, couch, or chair

fut·tock ['fə-tək] -n

  1. one of the curved timbers scarfed together to form the lower part of the compound rib of a ship

futtock shroud -n

  1. a short iron rod connecting the topmast rigging with the lower mast

fu·ture ['fyü-chər] -adj

  1. that is to be
  2. existing after death
  3. of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come
  4. existing or occurring at a later time
    • met his future wife

future -n

  1. time that is to come
  2. what is going to happen
  3. an expectation of advancement or progressive development
  4. something (as a bulk commodity) bought for future acceptance or sold for future delivery usu. used in pl.
    • grain future s
  5. the future tense of a language
  6. a verb form in the future tense

fu·ture·less ['fyü-chər-ləs] -adj, n

  1. having no future

future perfect -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is traditionally formed in English with will haveand shall haveand that expresses completion of an action by a specified time that is yet to come

future shock -n

  1. the physical and psychological distress suffered by one who is unable to cope with the rapidity of social and technological changes

fu·tur·ism ['fyü-chə-,ri-zəm] -n

  1. a movement in art, music, and literature begun in Italy about 1909 and marked esp. by an effort to give formal expression to the dynamic energy and movement of mechanical processes
  2. a point of view that finds meaning or fulfillment in the future rather than in the past or present

fu·tur·ist ['fyü-chə-rist] -n, adj

  1. one who studies and predicts the future esp. on the basis of current trends
  2. one who advocates or practices futurism

fu·tur·is·tic [,fyü-chə-'ris-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the future, futurism, or futurology
  2. very modern

fu·tur·is·tics [-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. futurology

fu·tu·ri·ty [fyü-'tu̇r-ə-tē, -'tyu̇r-, -'chu̇r-] -n

  1. time to come : future
  2. the quality or state of being future
  3. future events or prospects
  4. a horse race usu. for two-year-olds in which the competitors are nominated at birth or before
  5. a race or competition for which entries are made well in advance of the event

fu·tur·olo·gy [,fyü-chə-'rä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. a study that deals with future possibilities based on current trends

futz ['fəts] -vi

  1. fool around often used with around
    • futz around without producing any worthwhile music -- John Koegel

fuze ['fyüz] -vb

(variant of fuse)

  1. to reduce to a liquid or plastic state by heat
  2. to blend thoroughly by or as if by melting together : combine
  3. to stitch by applying heat and pressure with or without the use of an adhesive
  4. to become fluid with heat
  5. to fail because of the blowing of a fuse
  6. to become blended or joined by or as if by melting together
  7. an electrical safety device consisting of or including a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a particular amperage
  8. a continuous train of a combustible substance enclosed in a cord or cable for setting off an explosive charge by transmitting fire to it
  9. a mechanical or electrical detonating device for setting off the bursting charge of a projectile, bomb, or torpedo
  10. to equip with a fuse

fuzz ['fəz] -n

  1. fine light particles or fibers (as of down or fluff)
  2. a blurred effect
  3. to fly off in or become covered with fluffy particles
  4. to become blurred
    • her frame of reference fuzz ing at the edges -- Jane O'Reilly
  5. to make fuzzy
  6. to envelop in a haze
  7. police
  8. a police officer

fuzzy ['fə-zē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by or giving a suggestion of fuzz
    • a fuzzy covering of felt
  2. lacking in clarity or definition
    • moving the camera causes fuzzy photos
  3. being, relating to, or invoking pleasant and usu. sentimental emotions
    • warm and fuzzy feelings

fuzzy logic -n

  1. a system of logic in which a statement can be true, false, or any of a continuum of values in between

fuzzy set -n

  1. a mathematical set with the property that an object can be a member of the set, not a member of the set, or any of a continuum of states of being a partial member of the set