Actuator vs. Switch

Something that actuates something else.

Example: ‘The mind is the actuator of the body.’;

A usually electric device that causes a mechanical device (i.e., a mechanism) to be switched on or off. For example; an electric motor that opens and closes a valve.

(computer hardware) The mechanism that moves the head assembly on a disk drive.

(electrical) A relay that controls the flow of electricity.

One who actuates, or puts into action.

a mechanism that puts something into automatic action

An actuator is a component of a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, for example by opening a valve. In simple terms, it is a .

Example: ‘mover’;

A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.

A change.

A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; point.

A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.

(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.

Example: ‘Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.’;

A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.

A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.

(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.

(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.

(transitive) To exchange.

Example: ‘I want to switch this red dress for a green one.’;

(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.

Example: ‘Switch the light on.’;

(transitive) To whip or hit with a switch.

(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.

Example: ‘I want to switch to a different seat.’;

To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.

To swing or whisk.

Example: ‘to switch a cane’;

To be swung or whisked.

Example: ‘The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.’;

To trim.

Example: ‘to switch a hedge’;

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.

Example: ‘to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another’;

(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.

(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.

Pertaining to skiing backwards.

A small, flexible twig or rod.

Example: ‘Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch.’;

A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.

To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.

To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

To trim, as, a hedge.

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.

To shift to another circuit.

To walk with a jerk.

control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

an event in which one thing is substituted for another;

Example: ‘the replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood’;

hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure

railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock

a flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other

the act of changing one thing or position for another;

Example: ‘his switch on abortion cost him the election’;

change over, change around, or switch over

exchange or give (something) in exchange for

lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;

Example: ‘switch to a different brand of beer’; ‘She switched psychiatrists’; ‘The car changed lanes’;

make a shift in or exchange of;

Example: ‘First Joe led; then we switched’;

cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;

Example: ‘switch on the light’; ‘throw the lever’;

flog with or as if with a flexible rod

reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)

a device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit

Example: ‘the guard hit a switch and the gate swung open’;

a program variable which activates or deactivates a certain function of a program.

a device which forwards data packets to an appropriate part of the network.

an act of changing to or adopting one thing in place of another

Example: ‘his friends were surprised at his switch from newspaper owner to farmer’;

a slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.

a set of points on a railway track.

a tress of false or detached hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.

change the position, direction, or focus of

Example: ‘the company switched the boats to other routes’;

adopt (something different) in place of something else; change

Example: ‘she worked as a librarian and then switched to journalism’; ‘she's managed to switch careers’;

substitute (two items) for each other; exchange

Example: ‘after ten minutes, listener and speaker switch roles’;

beat or flick with or as if with a switch.

In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of switch is an electromechanical device consisting of one or more sets of movable electrical contacts connected to external circuits.