Switch (?), 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.
© Webster 1913
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.
© Webster 1913
Switch, v. i.
To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913
Switch (?), n. (Elec.)
A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.
© Webster 1913