fusil

1 of 2

adjective

fu·​sil ˈfyü-zəl How to pronounce fusil (audio)
variants or fusile
ˈfyü-zəl How to pronounce fusil (audio)
-ˌzī(-ə)l
1
archaic
a
: made by melting and pouring into forms : cast
b
: liquefied by heat
2
archaic : fusible

fusil

2 of 2

noun

: a light flintlock musket

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fusile, borrowed from Latin fūsilis "molten, liquified," from fūsus (past participle of fundere "to pour, shed, cast") + -ilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" (alteration of -ibilis, originally by haplology after verb stems ending in a labial consonant) — more at found entry 5, -able

Noun

borrowed from French (17th century), "steel for striking fire, flintlock firearm," going back to Old French foisil, focil "steel for striking fire," going back to Vulgar Latin *focīlis, from Latin focus "hearth" (Late Latin, "fire") + -īlis, suffix of appurtenance — more at focus entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1680, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fusil was in the 14th century

Rhymes for fusil

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Browse Nearby Words

fusiform rust
fusil
fusilier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fusil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fusil. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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