wire

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   fasten with wire

   The columns were wired to the beams for support

2. 2
   verb

   string on a wire

   wire beads

3. 3
   verb

   provide with electrical circuits

   wire the addition to the house

4. 4
   noun

   Metal formed into a thin, even thread, now usually by being drawn through a hole in a steel die.

   Holonyms: cable; wire rope; wiring harness; wire wool

5. 5
   noun

   A metal conductor that carries electricity.

   That wire powers the lamp.

6. 6
   noun

   A telecommunication wire or cable.

   The episode began by a telephone ring in the morning and the voice of Algernon Mailey at the far end of the wire.

7. 7
   noun

   An electric telegraph; a telegram.

   Another letter. "Friedrichswerks, Hamburg, Germany. We beg to acknowledge receipt of order for fifteen thousand Robots." [Telephone rings.] Hello! This is the Central Office. Yes. Certainly. Well, send them a wire. Good. [Hangs up telephone.] Where did I leave off?

8. 8
   noun

   A deadline or critical endpoint.

   This election is going to go right to the wire

Etymology

From Middle English wir, wyr, from Old English wīr (“wire, metal thread, wire-ornament”), from Proto-Germanic *wīraz (“wire”), from Proto-Indo-European *weh₁iros (“a twist, thread, cord, wire”), from *weh₁y- (“to turn, twist, weave, plait”).