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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

switchboard \switch"board`\ n.
1. an elctrical apparatus consisting predominantly of a panel
on which are switches or other means of completing
electrical circuits; -- used especially for the devices
used in telephone exchanges. See sense 2.
[PJC]

2. (Telephone) An apparatus containing switches by means of
which a connection may be made from an incoming telephone
line to any one of numerous outgoing lines. The switches
may be either mechanical or electronic, and the switching
action may be automatic, controlled by signals in the
incoming call, or manual, controlled by a switchboard
operator. In older style manual switchboards, the circuits
were connected by the use of patchcords, inserted into
plugs.

Syn: patchboard, plugboard, telephone exchange.
[PJC]