wire

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A thin thread of metal, often used to carry electricity.

   That wire powers the lamp.

2. 2
   verb

   To connect something to an electrical supply.

   An electrician came to wire the new kitchen.

3. 3
   verb

   To fasten or join things together using wire.

   The columns were wired to the beams for support.

4. 4
   noun

   A final, decisive moment, especially in 'to the wire'.

   This election is going to go right to the wire.

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”).

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