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Glite Dictionary
patchboard

patchboard

8.1
A board with many sockets for connecting phone and other electronic wires
  • noun
  • /ˈpæʧˌbɔrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : panel de conexiones
  • The technician connected the cables to the patchboard to complete the telephone circuit.

Examples

  • Old telephone exchanges often used a patchboard to manually route calls.

  • She labeled each connection on the patchboard for easy troubleshooting.

  • The technician connected the cables to the patchboard.

  • Can you show me the patchboard in the lab?

  • Old telephone exchanges often used a patchboard to manually route calls.

  • The technician connected the cables to the patchboard to complete the telephone circuit.

  • She labeled each connection on the patchboard for easy troubleshooting.

Synonyms

board
vspatchboard
  • Specialized
167 5.4

A flat panel inside electronic devices that holds small parts

is specifically a telecommunications or electronics panel with sockets for connecting circuits
switchboard
vspatchboard
  • Archaic
27 6.8

A panel where people connect telephone calls by hand

is the panel using sockets and patch cords to arrange circuits not operator switching
plugboard
vspatchboard
  • Archaic
9.7

A board where a person plugs cords to connect telephone lines or circuits

is a general telecommunications and electronics panel with many sockets for arranging circuits
patcher
vspatchboard
  • Specialized
7.3

A device that makes temporary connections between audio or electronic cables

is a panel with multiple sockets for arranging circuits via patch cords

Surface Forms

patchboard singular
patchboards plural

Morphology

patchboard = patch + board (semi-transparent) = patch + board

The components 'patch' and 'board' are literal and combine sensibly, but the sense is a specialized technical term (telecommunications/electronics) that may be unfamiliar to general learners.

Etymology

Patchboard comes from patch ('a small piece used to fix or join', like a sewing patch) and board ('a flat panel'). It is a panel where short cables are used to 'patch' or join electrical and telephone lines, so a patchboard is a place to make, change, or fix connections.