Switching

switch  (swch)

n.

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. A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

6. 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.

v. switched, switch·ing, switch·es

v.tr.

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.

v.intr.

1. To make or undergo a shift or an exchange: The office has switched to shorter summer hours.

2. To swish sharply from side to side.

Phrasal Verb:

switch off Informal

To stop paying attention; lose interest.

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[Probably of Low German or Flemish origin.]

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switcha·ble adj.

switcher n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

switching - the act of changing one thing or position for another; "his switch on abortion cost him the election" shift, switch change - the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election" switcheroo - a sudden unexpected switch