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toggle

[tog-uh l]
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noun
  1. a pin, bolt, or rod placed transversely through a chain, an eye or loop in a rope, etc., as to bind it temporarily to another chain or rope similarly treated.
  2. a toggle joint, or a device having one.
  3. an ornamental, rod-shaped button for inserting into a large buttonhole, loop, or frog, used especially on sports clothes.
  4. Theater.
    1. Also called toggle rail.a wooden batten across the width of a flat, for strengthening the frame.
    2. Also called toggle iron.a metal device for fastening a toggle rail to a frame.
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verb (used with object), tog·gled, tog·gling.
  1. to furnish with a toggle.
  2. to bind or fasten with a toggle.
  3. Informal. to turn, twist, or manipulate a toggle switch; dial or turn the switch of (an appliance): He toggled the TV between the baseball game and the news.
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Origin of toggle

First recorded in 1760–70; perhaps variant of tackle
Related formstog·gler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for toggle

Historical Examples

  • Its toggle switch was at the “on” position, and it was lying on its side.

    The Untouchable

    Stephen A. Kallis

  • The hatchet he had been using to cut a toggle was lying by his knee.

    Cat and Mouse

    Ralph Williams

  • A handkerchief and toggle, or stick of any kind, is sometimes substituted.

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • Gliders were casting off their toggle hooks and swooping earthward.

    A Yankee Flier in Italy

    Rutherford G. Montgomery

  • With a muttered curse, Merrick flipped a toggle and the scene dimmed.

    Turning Point

    Alfred Coppel

British Dictionary definitions for toggle

toggle

noun
  1. a wooden peg or metal rod fixed crosswise through an eye at the end of a rope, chain, or cable, for fastening temporarily by insertion through an eye in another rope, chain, etc
  2. a wooden or plastic bar-shaped button inserted through a loop for fastening
  3. a pin inserted into a nautical knot to keep it secure
  4. machinery a toggle joint or a device having such a joint
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verb
  1. (tr) to supply or fasten with a toggle or toggles
  2. computing (intr, often foll by between) to switch to a different option, view, application, etc
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Derived Formstoggler, noun

Word Origin

C18: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for toggle

n.

1769, "short pin passed through the eye of a rope," a nautical word of uncertain origin, perhaps a frequentative form of tog "tug." Meaning "a kind of wall fastener" is recorded from 1934. Toggle bolt is from 1794; toggle switch first attested 1938.

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v.

1836, from toggle (n.). Related: Toggled; toggling.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper