noun

1. a thin, flexible twig, rod, stick, etc., esp. one used for whipping
2. the bushy part of the tail in some animals, as the cow
3. a separate tress or plait of natural or synthetic hair bound at one end and used by women as part of a coiffure
4. an abrupt, sharp, lashing movement, as with a switch
5. a device that controls the flow of current in an electric circuit, esp. by turning the current on or off or diverting it to a particular part of the circuit
6. 1. a movable section of railroad track used in transferring a train from one set of tracks to another
   2. ☆ siding (sense )
7. a shift or transference, esp. if sudden or unexpected

Etymology: Early ModE swits, prob. < MDu or LowG, as in MDu swick, a whip, akin to ON sveigr, flexible stalk: for IE base see swoop

transitive verb

1. to whip or beat with or as with a switch
2. to jerk or swing sharply; lash a cow switching its tail
3. to shift; transfer; change; turn aside; divert
4. 1. to operate the switch of (an electric circuit) so as to connect, disconnect, or divert
   2. to turn (an electric light or appliance) on or off in this way
5. ☆ to transfer (a railroad train or car) from one set of tracks to another by use of a switch; shunt
6. to change or exchange to switch places

intransitive verb

1. ☆ to move from or as from one set of tracks to another
2. to shift; transfer; change
3. to swing sharply; lash