toggle switch

noun

, Electricity.

a switch in which a projecting knob or arm, moving through a small arc, causes the contacts to open or close an electric circuit suddenly, as commonly used in most homes.

toggle switch

an electric switch having a projecting lever that is manipulated in a particular way to open or close a circuit
a computer device that is used to turn a feature on or off

First recorded in 1920–25

When she called he groggily opened one eye half way, and fumbled for the toggle-switch.

A snarl of disgust, a toggle switch snapped, a flickering teevie screen.

The clerk went to the switchboard and plugged in a line, then pulled the toggle switch a couple of times.

Dr. Brinton woke up enough to reach out a lazy arm and flip a newly installed toggle switch beside his bed.

Before me, where I could operate it with a thrusting movement of my chin, was a toggle switch.

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