short circuit

¹

noun

, Electricity.

1. Also called short. 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.

short-circuit

²

[ shawrt-sur-kit ]

verb (used with object)

1. Electricity.
   1. to make (an appliance, switch, etc.) inoperable by establishing a short circuit in.
   2. to carry (a current) as a short circuit.
2. to bypass, impede, hinder, or frustrate:

   Bad weather short-circuited my vacation plans.

verb (used without object)

1. Electricity. to form a short circuit or become inoperable due to a short circuit.

short circuit

noun

1. a faulty or accidental connection between two points of different potential in an electric circuit, bypassing the load and establishing a path of low resistance through which an excessive current can flow. It can cause damage to the components if the circuit is not protected by a fuse

verb

1. to develop or cause to develop a short circuit
2. tr to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc)
3. tr to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)

short circuit

/ shôrt /

1. 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.

short circuit

1. An electrical circuit in which a path of very low resistance has been opened, usually accidentally. When the resistance drops, the electric current (see also current ) in the circuit becomes very high and can cause damage to the circuit and start fires.

Word History and Origins

Origin of short circuit¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Origin of short circuit²

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

For example, there’s only so many strings you can daisy-chain together before you risk a short circuit.

From Popular-Science

If there’s a way to integrate data not currently integrated, note the omission, see if it’s possible to integrate missing data and if it’s not possible, note the short circuit and make sure all stakeholders are on the same page.

From Search Engine Land

Criteriums are fast multi-lap races held on short circuits, often in urban areas, where fans can see riders go by again and again.

From Outside Online

COBINA President Altagracia Tamayo told La Voz de la Frontera, a local newspaper, it appears as though an electrical short circuit in one of the shelter’s bedrooms sparked the fire.

From Washington Blade

The board could not determine with certainty the genesis of the explosion but cited a short circuit as a probable cause.

From Washington Post

What eludes investigators is what triggered the short circuit.

From The Daily Beast

This sort of sustained engagement can short-circuit racially triggered instances of the confirmation bias, wrote Dobbin.

From The Daily Beast

The post concluded, “Question: short memory or short-circuit?”

From The Daily Beast

I watched Islamaphobes tiny brains short circuit when they realized the suspects were white and Muslim.

From The Daily Beast

“Stuff goes wrong and people short-circuit, for sure,” Van Tassell says.

From The Daily Beast

No, sir, but Im inclined to think it is the insulation that has worn and caused a short circuit somewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

I left there as soon as you did, right after the short circuit, said Jarrold, turning red under Jacks direct gaze.

From Project Gutenberg

What would you do if a short circuit developed while on the road?

From Project Gutenberg

Short-circuit something, that was the idea, create a confusion—and trust to escaping in the midst of it?

From Project Gutenberg

It would not necessarily short-circuit the current and the damage would be too readily laid at his door.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crack
• exposure
• flow
• leakage