swɪtʃ n. & v. --n. 1 a
device for making and breaking
the connection in an
electric circuit. 2 a a
transfer, change-over, or
deviation. b an
exchange. 3 a
slender flexible shoot cut from a
tree. 4 a
light tapering
rod. 5 US a device at the
junction of
railway tracks for transferring a
train from
one track to
another; =
POINT n. 17. 6 a
tress of
false or detached
hair tied at one
end used in hairdressing. --v. 1 tr. (foll. by
on, off)
turn (an
electrical device) on or
off. 2 intr.
change or transfer
position,
subject, etc. 3 tr. change or transfer. 4 tr.
reverse the positions
of; exchange (switched chairs). 5 tr.
swing or
snatch (a thing) suddenly (switched it
out of my hand). 6 tr.
beat or
flick with a switch. øswitch-blade a
pocket knife with the
blade released by a
spring. switched-on colloq. 1 up to date;
aware of
what is
going on. 2 excited;
under the
influence of drugs. switch off colloq.
cease to pay
attention. switch
over change or exchange. switch-over n. a change or exchange. øøswitcher n. [earlier swits, switz, prob. f. LG]
