Category:Switch

Switch, n. Etym: [cf. Od. swick a scourage, a whip. Cf. Swink, Swing.]

1. A small, flexible twig or rod. Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a Thread; in her other hand she holds a switch. Addison.

2. (railways)

Defn: a movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for Transferring cars from one track to another.

3. A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) Made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

4. (eccl.)

Defn: a mechanical device for shifting an electric current to another Circuit. Safety switch (railways), a form of switch contrived to Prevent or lessen the danger of derailment of trains. -- switch back (railways), an arrangement of tracks whereby Elevations otherwise insurmountable are passed. The track ascends by A series of zigzags, the engine running alternately forward and back, Until the summit is reached. -- switch board (elec.), a collection of switches in one piece of Apparatus, so arranged that a number of circuits may be connected or Combined in any desired manner. -- switch grass. (bot.) See under grass.

Switch Switch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Switched; p. pr. & vb. n. Switching.]

1. To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip. Chapman.

2. To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

3. To trim, as, a hedge. [prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

4. To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a Switch; -- generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; To switch a car from one track to another.

5. (eccl.)

Defn: to shift to another circuit.

Switch Switch, v. i.

Defn: to walk with a jerk. [prov. Eng.]