Past tense of fuel; provided with energy or substance to power something. Can refer to literal fuel for engines or metaphorical energy for emotions, actions, or processes.
From Old French 'fouaille' meaning 'fuel for fire', derived from Latin 'focus' meaning 'hearth' or 'fireplace'. The metaphorical sense of providing energy or motivation developed in the 17th century.
The word beautifully bridges the physical and metaphorical worlds - from coal fueling steam engines to anger fueling arguments. It's fascinating how our language consistently uses combustion metaphors for human motivation and energy.
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