Switch

Switch (swĭch), n. [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) 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. (Elec.) 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, 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.) To shift to another circuit.

Switch, v. i. To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]