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

defuse \defuse"\ d-ef=uz", 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
see also:
diffuse 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

defuse
     v : remove the triggering device from ant: fuse
see also:
fuse 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

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

Defuse >> D Words
Defuse, definition of term: Defuse
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