A device with explosive components designed to initiate a train of fire or detonation in an item of ammunition by an action such as hydrostatic pressure, electrical energy, chemical action, impact, mechanical time, or a combination of these.

any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant

a device used with a projectile to explode it at the time and under the circumstances required

A device for setting off an explosive charge; a command or request to indicate the type of fuze action desired, such as delay, quick or time for the 60-mm mortar.

The means of initiating a shell; it may be percussion, or 'point-detonating' (the US definition), graze, time or proximity, ie actuated by a radio signal (Doppler effect) when in proximity to the target.

This ignites the bursting charge of the shell at the required moment, either on percussion or time. In artillery usage, it is spelt 'fuze'. This is the shortened or modern method of spelling 'fuzee', meaning a tube filled with combustible material. 'Fuse', from the Latin 'fundo', means 'to melt', and is used in connection with electricity, as well as with commercial explosives.