fu|el

fu|el «FYOO uhl», noun, verb, -eled, -el|ing or (especially British) -elled, -el|ling.

–n.

1. a) anything that can be burned to make useful heat or power. Coal, wood, and oil are fuels. SYNONYM(S): combustible. b) a substance oxidized in a rocket engine to producheat and a rapid expansion of gases. c) atomic matter producing heat by fission or fusion, as in a nuclear reactor.

2. Figurative. something that keeps up or increases a feeling: »

His insults were fuel to her hatred of him. Each party is always laying up fuel for dissension (Sir Richard Steele).

–v.t.

1. to supply with fuel: »

The Atomic Energy Commission asked architect-engineering firms to propose design studies for a heavy water-moderated nuclear reactor fueled by natural uranium (Wall Street Journal).

2. Figurative. to act as a driving force for; support: »

Fueling the pool-building boom are a number of things (Wall Street Journal).

–v.i.

to get fuel: »

The ship will have to fuel at the nearest port.

╂[< Old French feuaile < Vulgar Latin focālia, neuter plural adjective < Latin focus hearth, fire]

–fu´el|er,

–fu´el|ler, noun.

–fu´el|less, adjective.