glitch

American  

[glich] / glɪtʃ /

noun

1. a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan.

2. Computers. any error, malfunction, or problem.

3. a brief or sudden interruption or surge in voltage in an electric circuit.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause a glitch in.

   an accident that glitched our plans.

glitch British  

/ ɡlɪtʃ /

noun

1. a sudden instance of malfunctioning or irregularity in an electronic system

2. a change in the rotation rate of a pulsar

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Etymology

Origin of glitch

First recorded in 1960–65; perhaps from Yiddish glitsh “slippery area”; compare glitshn, German glitschen “to slip, slide”

Explanation

A glitch is a problem or malfunction, usually a temporary one, in a system or machine. Your science fair team might experience a major glitch in your plans if you lose your data tables as the result of a computer glitch. Glitch is a pretty new word, introduced in the 1960s when the science and technology of space flight was being developed. It originally meant a sudden surge of electrical current that caused a disturbance or malfunction. The word can also be used more broadly to describe any unexpected difficultly, like the glitch in your travel plans that resulted from airport delays.

Related Words

• bug
• defect
• flaw
• hitch
• malfunction
• mishap
• problem
• setback
• snafu
• snag