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 ] |