switch
    n 1: control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or
         electronic device for making or breaking or changing the
         connections in a circuit [syn: switch, electric switch,
         electrical switch]
    2: an event in which one thing is substituted for another; "the
       replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood"
       [syn: substitution, permutation, transposition,
       replacement, switch]
    3: hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women
       to give shape to a coiffure
    4: railroad track having two movable rails and necessary
       connections; used to turn a train from one track to another
       or to store rolling stock
    5: a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
    6: a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift
       assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by
       the other
    7: the act of changing one thing or position for another; "his
       switch on abortion cost him the election" [syn: switch,
       switching, shift]
    v 1: change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
         [syn: switch over, switch, exchange]
    2: exchange or give (something) in exchange for [syn: trade,
       swap, swop, switch]
    3: lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; "switch to a
       different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The
       car changed lanes" [syn: switch, shift, change]
    4: make a shift in or exchange of; "First Joe led; then we
       switched" [syn: switch, change over, shift]
    5: cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation; "switch
       on the light"; "throw the lever" [syn: throw, flip,
       switch]
    6: flog with or as if with a flexible rod
    7: reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action) [syn:
       interchange, tack, switch, alternate, flip, flip-
       flop]

Switch \Switch\, n. [Cf. OD. swick a scourage, a whip. Cf.
   Swink, Swing.]
   1. A small, flexible twig or rod.
      [1913 Webster]

            Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with
            something like a thread; in her other hand she holds
            a switch.                             --Addison.
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   2. (Railways) A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails,
      for transferring cars from one track to another.
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   3. A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at
      jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Elec.) A device for shifting an electric current to
      another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To trim, as, a hedge. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Eccl.) To shift to another circuit.
      [1913 Webster]

Switch \Switch\, v. i.
   To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]
   [1913 Webster]

switch

   1.  switch statement.

   2.  command line option.

   3.  packet switch, circuit switch.

   (1999-01-14)