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 ]
n. 1. The act of deactivating or making ineffective (as a bomb). Syn. -- deactivation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]