wire
wire definition
wire (wīr)
noun
- metal that has been drawn into a very long, thin thread or rod, usually circular in cross section
- a length of this, used for various purposes, such as conducting electric current or stringing musical instruments
- wire netting or other wirework
- anything made of wire or wirework, as a telephone cable, a barbed-wire fence, or a snare
- telegraph reply by wire
- a telegram
- Slang a concealed microphone or recording device, carried or worn as for espionage or by undercover police
- ☆ Horse Racing a wire above the finish line of a race
Etymology: ME < OE wir, akin to LowG wīr < IE *weir- < base *wei-, to bend, turn > withe, Gr iris, rainbow, L vitis, vine
adjective
made of wire or wirework
transitive verb wired, wiring wir′·ing
- to furnish, connect, bind, attach, string, etc. with a wire or wires
- to supply with a system of wires for electric current
- to telegraph
- Archaic to snare with a wire or wires
intransitive verb
to telegraph
Related Forms:
- wirelike wire′·like′ adjective
wire Idioms
down to the wire
☆ to the very end or the very last moments
pull wires
☆Etymology: from the wires used to operate puppets
to use private influence to achieve a purpose
(get in) under the wire
☆ (to arrive or accomplish something) barely on time or at the last minute
(from) wire to wire
Informal from start to finish
also wire-to-wire
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