toggle

Meanings

1. A wooden or metal pin, short rod, crosspiece or similar, fixed transversely in the eye of a rope or chain to be secured to any other loop, ring, or bight, e.g. a sea painter to a lifeboat.
2. A rod-shaped button bound with slack to the fabric.
3. A toggle switch.
4. An appliance for transmitting force at right angles to its direction.
5. A horizontal piece of wood that is placed on a door, flat, or other wooden structure, but is not on one of the edges of the structure.
6. A fastener that has flaps that align vertically to penetrate a surface and then spread out to secure the fastener in position, e.g. a molly bolt.
7. A loop of webbing or a dowel affixed to the end of the steering/brake lines of a parachute providing the pilot with a means of control.

1. To alternate between two positions using a single switch or lever.
2. To switch between alternate states.
3. To fix like a toggle iron; to fix fast.

Etymology

Of uncertain origin. Possible alteration of tug (“to pull”) + -le