hookswitch

English

Alternative forms

• hook switch

Etymology

From hook +‎ switch.

Noun

hookswitch (plural hookswitches)

1. The spring-loaded button on a telephone that is depressed by the action of returning the handset to the cradle, thus terminating the call.

   Synonym: switchhook

   • 2007 August 20, Douglas Martin, “Joybubbles, 58, Peter Pan of Phone Hackers, Dies”, in The New York Times‎^[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 4 September 2025:

     At 4 or 5, he learned to dial by using the hookswitch like a telegraph key.

Translations

telephone button to terminate the call

• Portuguese: gancho (pt) m
• Swedish: klyka (sv) c

Anagrams

• switch hook, switchhook