Defn: 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
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.)
Defn: To shift to another circuit.
SWITCH
Switch, v. i.
Defn: To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]