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short circuit
short circuitnounan 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.
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short-circuit
short-circuitverb (used with object)
short circuit
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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Electricity.
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to make (an appliance, switch, etc.) inoperable by establishing a short circuit in.
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to carry (a current) as a short circuit.
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to bypass, impede, hinder, or frustrate.
Bad weather short-circuited my vacation plans.
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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to develop or cause to develop a short circuit
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(tr) to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc)
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(tr) to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)
Etymology
Origin of short circuit1
First recorded in 1875–80
Origin of short-circuit2
First recorded in 1870–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Short circuit wouldn't make it that bad; fuses should have blown first.
From Cue for Quiet by Sherred, Thomas L.
"Short circuit in the big motor," was the reply.
From Tom Swift and His Aerial Warship, or, the Naval Terror of the Seas by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.