First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1shunt
verb \ˈshənt\
: to move (someone or something) to a different and usually less important or noticeable place or position
: to move (a train or railway car) from one track to another
Full Definition of SHUNT
transitive verb
1
a : to turn off to one side : shift <was shunted aside> b : to switch (as a train) from one track to another
2
: to provide with or divert by means of an electrical shunt
3
: to divert (blood) from one part to another by a surgical shunt
4
: shuttle <shunted the missiles from shelter to shelter>
intransitive verb
1
: to move to the side
2
: to travel back and forth <shunted between the two towns>
— shunt·er noun
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Origin of SHUNT
Middle English, to move suddenly, turn away, evade, perhaps from past participle of shonen
2shunt
noun
Definition of SHUNT
1
: a means or mechanism for turning or thrusting aside: as a chiefly British : a railroad switch b : a conductor joining two points in an electrical circuit so as to form a parallel or alternative path through which a portion of the current may pass (as for regulating the amount passing in the main circuit) c : a surgical passage created to divert a bodily fluid (as blood) from one vessel or part to another ; also : a device (as a narrow tube) used to establish a similar passage
2
chiefly British : an accident (as a collision between two cars) especially in auto racing
First Known Use of SHUNT
1842
SHUNT Defined for Kids
shunt
verb \ˈshənt\
shunt·edshunt·ing
Definition of SHUNT for Kids
1
: to turn or move off to one side or out of the way <Cattle were shunted into a corral.>
2
: to switch (as a train) from one track to another
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