The Latin root fus means “pour.” It is my hope that you will no longer be confused about this root by the end of this podcast, but rather that it will be infused into your memory!
When two types of metal are fused, they are “poured” together so as to form one. The energy released during the fusion or “pouring” together of two hydrogen atoms into one helium atom is the power that runs the stars, including our sun. Only one-trillionth of the solar energy released suffuses our planet, that is, is “poured” out to bathe us in its photons. The energy released infuses or is “poured” into all the plants on our planet, starting the process of photosynthesis whereby plants make their own energy. Such an infusion of solar light makes all life possible on our planet.
Imagine you find a ticking bomb and you have to defuse or “pour” off its ability to blow up. Your first inclination might be to refuse to do it, “pouring” the task back to someone else. If you get past the understandable refusal, you might find the actual job to be confusing what with the myriad of wires involved, that is, you are finding that there is just too much information being thoroughly “poured” into your own brain circuits, making the job impossible! Imagine an effusive James Bond showing up on the scene in the last ticking seconds, “pouring” out his willingness to defuse the bomb! He manages to do just that, at which point you offer him profuse praise, “pouring” it forth for not only having saved the day, but also for saving your life!
Now that this information about the root fus is diffuse throughout your memory or “poured” throughout it, you should have no trouble or further fuss about fus!
- fuse: “pour” into one
- fusion: the act of “pouring” together
- suffuse: “pour” out from below, or “pour” out
- infuse: to “pour” in
- infusion: act of “pouring” in
- defuse: “pour” from
- refuse: to “pour” back
- refusal: a “pouring” back
- confuse: to thoroughly “pour” too much
- confused: having been “thoroughly” poured so that there is too much information
- effusive: “pour” out
- defuse: “pour” off or from
- profuse: “pour” forth
- diffuse: “poured” apart throughout something