switch
UK: swɪtʃ | US: swɪtʃ
n. 1. A device for making or breaking an electrical connection.
n. 2. A change or shift from one thing to another.
vt. 1. To change or replace something with another.
vi. 1. To make a sudden shift or transition.
switch = swit<swing, strike> + ch<verb-forming suffix>
- swit (from Middle Dutch swijch, meaning "a whip, thin branch," related to swinging or striking motion).
- ch (a common verb-forming suffix in English, often indicating action).
Etymology Origin:
The word "switch" originated in the 16th century from Middle Dutch swijch, referring to a flexible twig or whip used for striking. Over time, it evolved to describe mechanisms that "strike" or "shift" (e.g., electrical switches) and later generalized to mean any abrupt change or substitution. The logic traces back to the physical motion of swinging or striking, metaphorically extended to abstract transitions.
She flipped the light switch to brighten the room.
The company decided to switch to renewable energy sources.
He made a sudden switch in careers from finance to art.
Can we switch seats so I can sit by the window?
The train tracks include a switch to redirect the train onto another line.