short-circuit

verb (used with object)

1. Electricity.
   1. to make (an appliance, switch, etc.) inoperable by establishing a short circuit in.
   2. to carry (a current) as a short circuit.
2. to bypass, impede, hinder, or frustrate: Bad weather short-circuited my vacation plans.

verb (used without object)

3. Electricity. to form a short circuit or become inoperable due to a short circuit.

noun Electricity.

1. an abnormal, usually unintentional condition of relatively low resistance between two points of different potential in a circuit, usually resulting in a flow of excess current.

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

verb short-circuit

2. to develop or cause to develop a short circuit
3. (tr) to bypass (a procedure, regulation, etc)
4. (tr) to hinder or frustrate (plans, etc)

n.

also short-circuit, 1854, in electricity, from short (adj.) + circuit (n.). As a verb, introduce a shunt of low resistance,” from 1867; intransitive sense from 1902; in the figurative sense is recorded by 1899. Related: short-circuited; short-circuiting.

1. An electrical path in a circuit that causes most of the current to flow around or away from some other path in the circuit. Accidental short circuits, especially between the high and low voltages of a power supply, can cause very strong current to flow, possibly damaging or overheating the circuit.

An electrical circuit in which a path of very low resistance has been opened, usually accidentally. When the resistance drops, the electric current (see also current) in the circuit becomes very high and can cause damage to the circuit and start fires.