Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Shunt \Shunt\, n. [Cf. D. schuinte slant, slope, declivity. See
   {Shunt}, v. t.]
   1. (Railroad) A turning off to a side or short track, that
      the principal track may be left free.

   2. (Elec.) A conducting circuit joining two points in a
      conductor, or the terminals of a galvanometer or dynamo,
      so as to form a parallel or derived circuit through which
      a portion of the current may pass, for the purpose of
      regulating the amount passing in the main circuit.

   3. (Gunnery) The shifting of the studs on a projectile from
      the deep to the shallow sides of the grooves in its
      discharge from a shunt gun.

   {Shunt dynamo} (Elec.), a dynamo in which the field circuit
      is connected with the main circuit so as to form a shunt
      to the letter, thus employing a portion of the current
      from the armature to maintain the field.

   {Shunt gun}, a firearm having shunt rifling. See under
      {Rifling}.