Wiretap definition
An act of secretly listening to or recording a person's telephone or Internet conversations, often as part of a police investigation.
noun
A device that is connected to a communications circuit in a concealed fashion in order to enable a wiretap.
noun
To listen to or record in secret (a conversation carried on over a telephone line or other communications channel), often as part of a police investigation.
verb
To wiretap the conversations on (a telephone line or other communications channel), often as part of a police investigation.
verb
To wiretap the conversations of (a person) or the communications devices in (a place).
verb
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To connect a concealed listening or recording device to (a telephone line).
verb
To tap (a telephone wire, etc.) to get information secretly or underhandedly.
verb
The act or an instance of wiretapping.
noun
A device used in wiretapping.
noun
Of or relating to wiretapping.
adjective
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The listening in of any wire or oral communication by use of electronic or mechanical means; generally illegal where both parties to the communication are unaware of the wiretap. Unauthorized use or possession of wiretap devices is prohibited under state and federal law.
verb
The act of placing an electronic device to listen in on oral communications. See also bugging, and pen register.
verb
In historical terms, a temporary physical connection secretly placed on a metallic circuit in order to monitor the information being transmitted across it. In contemporary terms, a wiretap need not be a physical connection on a circuit, but can take many forms, including the interception of a radio signal. In the United States and many other countries, wiretaps are illegal unless authorized by court order, or perhaps the order of a federal agency or of the executive branch of government in times of war or in the interests of national security. See also eavesdrop and Echelon.
A concealed device connected to a telephone or other communications system that allows a third party to listen or record conversations.
noun
The act of installing such a device.
noun
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To install or to use such a device.
verb
Alternative Forms
Alternative Form of wiretap -
wire tap