Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense short-circuits, present participle short-circuiting, past tense, past participle short-circuited
1. verb
If an electrical device short-circuits or if someone or something short-circuits it, a wrong connection or damaged wire causes electricity to travel along the wrong route and damage the device.
Carbon dust and oil build up in large motors and cause them to short-circuit. [VERB]
Once inside they short-circuited the electronic security. [VERB noun]
Short-circuit is also a noun.
The fire was started by an electrical short-circuit.
2. verb
If someone or something short-circuits a process or system, they avoid long or difficult parts of it and use a quicker, more direct method to achieve their aim.
The approach was intended to short-circuit normal complaints procedures. [VERB noun]
short circuit in British English
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
verbshort-circuit
2.
to develop or cause to develop a short circuit
3. (transitive)
to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc)
4. (transitive)
to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)
Sometimes (for senses 1, 2) shortened to: short
short-circuit in British English
(ʃɔːt ˈsɜːkɪt)
noun
1. electrical
a faulty or accidental connection between two points of different potential in anelectric circuit, bypassing the load and establishing a path of low resistance throughwhich an excessive current can flow. It can cause damage to the components if thecircuit is not protected by a fuse
The fire was started by an electrical short-circuit.
verb(intransitive)
2. electrical
to develop a short circuit
Carbon dust and oil build up in large motors and cause them to short-circuit.
verb(transitive)
3. electrical
to develop or cause to develop a short circuit
He removed the tiny pin with which he had short-circuited the cable earlier.
4.
to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc); circumvent
Once inside they short-circuited the electronic security.
Mary was able to short-circuit her stress response by keeping her thoughts calm andrational.
The approach was intended to short-circuit normal complaints.
5.
to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)
short circuit in American English
1.
a usually accidental low-resistance connection between two points in an electriccircuit, resulting in either excessive current flow that often causes damage or in a new shorter circuit that draws current away from the original pathways and components
2. Popularly
a disrupted electric circuit resulting from this
short-circuit in American English
(ʃɔrtˈsɜrkɪt)
verb transitive
1. Electricity
to make a short circuit in
2.
to bypass (an obstruction, custom, etc.)
3.
to cause a sudden break in; impede; thwart
verb intransitive
4.
to develop a short circuit
short circuit in Electrical Engineering
(ʃɔrt sɜrkɪt)
Word forms: (regular plural) short circuits
noun
(Electrical engineering: Circuits, Electrical power, Computing and control)
A short circuit is a situation in which a faulty connection or damaged wire causes electricity to travel along thewrong route and damage an electrical device.
If the hot wire should ever accidentally touch the case, a short circuit would blow the fuses in the building and quickly remove the electrical connections,and the hazard.
A short circuit is generally an unintended electrical connection between current carrying parts.
A short circuit is a situation in which a faulty connection or damaged wire causes electricity totravel along the wrong route and damage an electrical device.
circuit, short circuit current
Examples of 'short circuit' in a sentence
short circuit
It is usually caused by a short circuit.
Petch, Dr Michael BMA Family Doctor Guide - Heart Disease (1989)
He said that the fire was probably caused by a short circuit or carelessness.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was caused by a short circuit that resulted in a thermal overload that spread the fire to other cells.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is thought a burning moped had been left up against the lamppost, causing the electrics to short circuit.
The Sun (2014)
A The most likely cause is a short circuit in one or more of the door locks' electrical controls.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But you could short-circuit the process in the interests of your clients as well as those of the Crown.
Gagman, Maurice DOUBTFUL MOTIVES
Her tears were like rain on the valves and condensers of a radio set, causing it to short-circuit and make action impossible.
Sillitoe, Alan THE OPEN DOOR
I have been able to short-circuit their immune systems, and they will live much longer than unprotected rats.