Switch board

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