toggle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɒg(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a short rod of wood or plastic sewn to one side of a coat or other garment, pushed through a hole or loop on the other side and twisted so as to act as a fastener.
  • a pin or other crosspiece put through the eye of a rope or a link of a chain to keep it in place.
  • (also toggle bolt) a kind of wall fastener for use on open-backed plasterboard, having a part that springs open or turns through 90° after it is inserted so as to prevent withdrawal.
  • a movable pivoted crosspiece acting as a barb on a harpoon.
  • 2 (also toggle switch or toggle key) Computing a key or command that is operated the same way but with opposite effect on successive occasions.

verb

  • 1 [no object, with adverbial] Computing switch from one effect, feature, or state to another by using a toggle: the play/pause button toggles between those functions [with object]: there are a number of attributes which can be toggled on or off
  • 2 [with object] provide or fasten with a toggle or toggles: our horses were hobbled or toggled before they were turned out to graze (as adjective toggled) a toggled coat

Origin:

mid 18th century (originally in nautical use): of unknown origin