Switch

n. 1 device for completing and breaking an electric circuit. 2 a transfer, changeover, or deviation. b exchange. 3 flexible shoot cut from a tree. 4 light tapering rod. 5 US railway points. v. 1 (foll. by on, oft) turn (an electrical device) on or off. 2 change or transfer. 3 exchange. 4 whip or flick with a switch. _7 switch off colloq. cease to pay attention. [Low German] switchback n. 1 ride at a fair etc., with extremely steep ascents and descents. 2 (often attrib.) such a railway or road. switchboard n. apparatus for making connections between electric circuits, esp. in telephony.