Part 1053

Swish (?), v. t. [From the sound. Cf. Swash.] 1. To flourish, so as to make the sound swish. Coleridge.

2. To flog; to lash. [Slang] Thackeray.

Swish, v. i. To dash; to swash.

Swish, n. 1. A sound of quick movement, as of something whirled through the air. [Colloq.]

2. (Naut.) Light driven spray. [Eng.]

Swiss (?), n.sing. & pl. [F. Suisse, of German origin. Cf. Switzer.] A native or inhabitant of Switzerland; a Switzer; the people of Switzerland.

Swiss, a. Of or pertaining to Switzerland, or the people of Switzerland.

Switch (?), n. [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) 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. (Elec.) 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.) To shift to another circuit.

Switch, v. i. To walk with a jerk. [Prov. Eng.]

Switch"el (?), n. [See Sweet.] A beverage of molasses and water, seasoned with vinegar and ginger. [U. S.]

Switch"ing, a. & n. 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"man (?), n.; pl. Switchmen (&?;). One who tends a switch on a railway.

Switch"y (?), a. Whisking. [Colloq.] Coombe.

Swithe (?), adv. [AS. sw&?;e strongly, violently.] Instantly; quickly; speedily; rapidly. [Obs.]

That thou doest, do thou swithe.

Wyclif (John xiii. 27).