Part 399

Fu"sil (?), n. [F. fusil, LL. fosile a steel for kindling fire, from L. focus hearth, fireplace, in LL. fire. See Focus, and cf. Fusee a firelock.] A light kind of flintlock musket, formerly in use.

Fu"sil, n. [See 3d Fusee.] (Her.) A bearing of a rhomboidal figure; -- named from its shape, which resembles that of a spindle.

It differs from a lozenge in being longer in proportion to its width.

Fu"sile (?), a. Same as Fusil, a.

{ Fu"sil*eer", Fu"sil*ier" } (?), n. [F. fusilier, fr. fusil.] (Mil.) (a) Formerly, a soldier armed with a fusil. Hence, in the plural: (b) A title now borne by some regiments and companies; as, "The Royal Fusiliers," etc.

Fu"sil*lade" (?), n. [F. fusillade, cf. It. fucilata. See Fusil a firelock.] (Mil.) A simultaneous discharge of firearms.

Fu"sil*lade" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fusillader; p. pr. & vb. n. Fusillading.] To shoot down of shoot at by a simultaneous discharge of firearms.

Fu"sion (?), n. [L. fusio, fr. fundere, fusum to pour, melt: cf. F. fusion. See Fuse, v. t., and cf. Foison.] 1. The act or operation of melting or rendering fluid by heat; the act of melting together; as, the fusion of metals.

2. The state of being melted or dissolved by heat; a state of fluidity or flowing in consequence of heat; as, metals in fusion.

3. The union or blending together of things, as, melted together.

The universal fusion of races, languages, and customs . . . had produced a corresponding fusion of creeds.

C. Kingsley.

Watery fusion (Chem.) the melting of certain crystals by heat in their own water of crystallization.

4. (Biol.) The union, or binding together, of adjacent parts or tissues.

Fu"some (?), a. [AS. f&?;san to hasten, fr. f&?;s ready, prompt, quick; akin to OS. f&?;s, OHG. funs, Icel. fuss willing; prob. from the root of E. find.] Handy; reat; handsome; notable. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Fuss (?), n. [Cf. Fusome.] 1. A tumult; a bustle; unnecessary or annoying ado about trifles. Byron.

Zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss or noise

Carlyle.

2. One who is unduly anxious about trifles. [R.]

I am a fuss and I don't deny it.

W. D. Howell.

Fuss, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fussed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fussing.] To be overbusy or unduly anxious about trifles; to make a bustle or ado. Sir W. Scott.

Fuss"i*ly (?), adv. In a fussy manner. Byron.

Fuss"i*ness, n. The quality of being fussy.

Fuss"y (?), a. [Compar. Fussier (?); superl Fussiest.] Making a fuss; disposed to make an unnecessary ado about trifles; overnice; fidgety.

Not at all fussy about his personal appearance.

R. G. White.

Fust (fst), n. [OF. fust, F. f˚t, fr. L. fustis stick staff.] (Arch.) The shaft of a column, or trunk of a pilaster. Gwilt.