switch
switch
(swĭch) noun
1.
A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.
2.
The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals: a cow's switch.
3.
A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.
4.
A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod.
5.
Abbr. sw. A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.
6. Abbr. sw. A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.
7. a. The act or process of operating a switching device. b. The result achieved by such an act.
8. An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.
9. A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.
verb
switched, switching, switches
verb
, transitive
1.
Chiefly Southern U.S.. To whip with or as if with a switch, especially in punishing a child.
2. To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply: a cat switching its tail.
3. To shift, transfer, or divert: switched the conversation to a lighter subject.
4. To exchange: asked her brother to switch seats with her.
5. To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.
6. To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation: switched the lights on and off.
7. Informal. To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on: switched on the charm.
8. To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.
verb
, intransitive
1.
To make or undergo a shift or an exchange: The office has switched from typewriters to word processors.
2.
To swish sharply from side to side.
phrasal verb.
switch off Informal
To stop paying attention; lose interest.
[Probably of Low German or Flemish origin.]
switch
ʹable adjective
switch
ʹer noun