12. switch to move, swing, or whisk (a cane, a fishing line, etc.) with a swift, lashing stroke.
13. switch to move or transfer (a train, car, etc.) from one set of tracks to another.
14. switch to drop or add (cars) or to make up (a train).
15. (v.i.)switch to strike with or as if with a switch.
16. switch to change, as direction or course; turn or shift: to switch to another road.
17. switch to exchange or replace something with another.
18. switch to move back and forth briskly, as a cat's tail.
19. switch to be shifted, turned, etc., by means of a switch.
Etymology: (1585–95; orig. uncert.)
Definition of 'Switch'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)switch, electric switch, electrical switch control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
2. (noun)substitution, permutation, transposition, replacement, switch an event in which one thing is substituted for another "the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood"
3. (noun)switch hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure
4. (noun)switch 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. (noun)switch a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment
6. (noun)switch a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
7. (verb)switch, switching, shift the act of changing one thing or position for another "his switch on abortion cost him the election"
8. (verb)switch over, switch, exchange change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
9. (verb)trade, swap, swop, switch exchange or give (something) in exchange for
10. (verb)switch, shift, change lay aside, abandon, or leave for another "switch to a different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The car changed lanes"
11. (verb)switch, change over, shift make a shift in or exchange of "First Joe led; then we switched"
12. (verb)throw, flip, switch cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation "switch on the light"; "throw the lever"
13. (verb)switch flog with or as if with a flexible rod
14. (verb)interchange, tack, switch, alternate, flip, flip-flop reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
8. (verb)Switch 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
1. Switch A device for opening and closing an electric circuit.
A simpletype is the ordinary telegrapher's switch. A bar of metal is mounted horizontally by a pivot at one end, so as to be free to rotate through an arc of a circle. In one position its free end rests upon a stud of metal. One terminal of a circuit is attached to its journal, the other to the stud. Resting on the stud it closes the circuit, in other positions it opens the circuit.
Sense: a small lever, handle or other device eg for putting or turning an electric current on or off The switch is down when the power is on and up when it's off; He couldn't find the light-switch.