Safety switch

Switch Switch, n. [Cf. OD. swick a scourage, a whip. Cf. {Swink}, {Swing}.] 1. A small, flexible twig or rod. [1913 Webster]

Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2. (Railways) A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another. [1913 Webster]

3. A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women. [1913 Webster]

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}. [1913 Webster]