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short circuit
short cir·cuit • n. in a device, an electrical circuit of lower resistance than that of a normal circuit, typically resulting from the unintended contact of components and consequent accidental diversion of the current. • v. (short-cir·cuit) (with reference to an electrical device) malfunction or fail, or cause to do this, as a result of a short circuit across it: [intr.] the birds caused the electricity supply to short-circuit | [tr.] water had leaked into the washing machine's motor, short-circuiting it. ∎ [tr.] fig. shorten (a process or activity) by using a more direct (but often improper) method: the normal processes of a democracy should not be short-circuited. |
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Cite this article
"short circuit." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "short circuit." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-shortcircuit.html "short circuit." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-shortcircuit.html |
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short circuit
short circuit abnormal connection of low resistance between two points of a circuit that usually causes a high, potentially damaging current to flow. To protect against damage, devices such as a fuse or a circuit breaker are used. They sense the excess current and break the circuit so that no current can flow. They must be replaced or reset manually once the cause of the short circuit is removed. |
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Cite this article
"short circuit." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "short circuit." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-shortcir.html "short circuit." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-shortcir.html |
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short circuit
short circuit (ser-kit) n. see anastomosis.
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Cite this article
"short circuit." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "short circuit." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-shortcircuit.html "short circuit." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-shortcircuit.html |
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