SHORT-CIRCUIT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does short-circuit mean? 

• SHORT-CIRCUIT (verb)
  The verb SHORT-CIRCUIT has 3 senses:

1. hamper the progress of; impede

2. create a short circuit in

3. avoid something unpleasant or laborious

  Familiarity information: SHORT-CIRCUIT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHORT-CIRCUIT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they short-circuit    ... he / she / it short-circuits   
Past simple: short-circuited   
Past participle: short-circuited   
-ing form: short-circuiting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hamper the progress of; impede

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

short-circuit warm feelings

Hypernyms (to "short-circuit" is one way to...):

baffle; bilk; cross; foil; frustrate; queer; scotch; spoil; thwart (hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Create a short circuit in

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

short; short-circuit

Hypernyms (to "short-circuit" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Avoid something unpleasant or laborious

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bypass; get around; go around; short-circuit

Context example:

You cannot bypass these rules!

Hypernyms (to "short-circuit" is one way to...):

avoid (stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

 Context examples 

Most negative electrodes in current lithium-ion batteries are made of graphite, which has a high energy density, but when charged at high rates, tends to form spindly lithium metal fibres known as dendrites, which can create a short-circuit and cause the batteries to catch fire and possibly explode.

(New class of materials could be used to make batteries that charge faster, University of Cambridge)