SWITCHINGS

Noun

switchings

plural of switching

Source: Wiktionary

SWITCHING

Switch"ing, a. & n.

Definition: from Switch, v. Switching engine, a locomotive for switching cars from one track to another, and making up trains; -- called also switch engine. [U.S.]

SWITCH

Switch, n. Etym: [Cf. OD. swick a scourage, a whip. Cf. Swink, Swing.]

1. A small, flexible twig or rod. Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch. Addison.

2. (Railways)

Definition: A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

3. A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

4. (Eccl.)

Definition: A mechanical device for shifting an electric current to another circuit. 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.

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.

2. To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

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

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.

5. (Eccl.)

Definition: To shift to another circuit.

Switch, v. i.

Definition: To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition