Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Switch
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.
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
,Verb.
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 cane3.
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 another5.
(Eccl.)
To shift to another circuit.
Switch
,Verb.
I.
To walk with a jerk.
[Prov. Eng.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Switch
SWITCH
,Noun.
On the medal, Mauritania leads a horse by a thread with one hand, and in the other holds a switch.
SWITCH
,Verb.
T.
SWITCH
,Verb.
I.