■ noun
1》 a device for making and breaking an electrical connection.
↘ Computing a program variable which activates or deactivates a function.
↘ Computing a device which forwards data packets to an appropriate part of the network.
2》 a change, especially a radical one.
3》 a slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.
4》 N. Amer. a set of points on a railway track.
5》 a tress of hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.
■ verb
1》 change in position, direction, or focus.
↘exchange.
2》 ( ~ something off/on ) turn an electrical device off (or on).
↘( ~ off ) informal cease to pay attention.
3》 archaic beat with or as if with a ~.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
C16 (denoting a thin tapering riding whip): prob. from Low Ger.