| an abnormal, usually unintentional condition of relatively low resistance between two points of different potential in a circuit, usually resulting in a flow of excess current. |
[shawrt-sur-kit] 
| 1. | Electricity.
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| 2. | to bypass, impede, hinder, or frustrate: Bad weather short-circuited my vacation plans. |
| 3. | Electricity. to form a short circuit or become inoperable due to a short circuit. |
| short circuit n. A low-resistance connection established by accident or intention between two points in an electric circuit. The current tends to flow through the area of low resistance, bypassing the rest of the circuit. |
An electrical circuit in which a path of very low resistance has been opened, usually accidentally. When the resistance drops, the electric current in the circuit becomes very high and can cause damage to the circuit and start fires.
| short circuit (shôrt) Pronunciation Key
An electrical path in a circuit that causes most of the current to flow around or away from some other path in the circuit. Accidental short circuits, especially between the high and low voltages of a power supply, can cause very strong current to flow, possibly damaging or overheating the circuit. |