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switchboard

Definition

  • noun: a system used to connect telephone calls with many separate phone lines in a building
  • noun: an apparatus (as in a telephone exchange) consisting of a panel on which are mounted electric 'switches' so arranged that a number of circuits may be connected, combined, and controlled

Examples

  • Angry callers flooded/jammed the company's 'switchboard'. [=made telephone calls to the company]

  • She used to work as a 'switchboard' operator.

Movie quotes

  • (..) We were woken at am and told to get down here immediately. I don't know about that. - Call General McAddie. - I don't have the number. Call the switchboard. You don't know their number? - I'll call my CO. - We don't have time for you to dick around. Our order came from McAddie. Call him. (..)
    1998 The X Files