hookswitch

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

Noun

  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.
    • At 4 or 5, he learned to dial by using the hookswitch like a telegraph key. - 2007 August 20, Douglas Martin, “Joybubbles, 58, Peter Pan of Phone Hackers, Dies”, in New York Times:

    Synonyms: switchhook

Origin

From hook + switch.

Forms

hookswitches hook switch