Word: wire Part of Speech: noun 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”). Pronunciation: /waɪə(ɹ)/, /ˈwaɪɚ/, /waɪ(ə)ɹ/, /wʌɪ(ə)ɹ/, [wäɪɚ] 1. Metal formed into a thin, even thread, now usually by being drawn through a hole in a steel die. Labels: uncountable Example: Holonyms: cable; wire rope; wiring harness; wire wool Example: From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away. 2. A piece of such material; a thread or slender rod of metal, a cable. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. A metal conductor that carries electricity. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: That wire powers the lamp. Example: Time is running out, so I renounce a spin on a Class 387 for a fast run to Paddington on another Class 800 - a shame as the weather was perfect for pictures. Even so, it's enjoyable - boy, can those trains shift under the wires. 4. A fence made of usually barbed wire. Labels: countable, uncountable 5. A finish line of a racetrack. Labels: countable, uncountable 6. A telecommunication wire or cable. Labels: countable, informal, uncountable Example: The episode began by a telephone ring in the morning and the voice of Algernon Mailey at the far end of the wire. 7. An electric telegraph; a telegram. Labels: broadly, countable, uncountable Example: 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? Example: “Oh, hadn’t I told you?” the other said quickly. “I had a wire yesterday. He landed in New York Wednesday. It was such a mixed-up sort of message, I never could understand what he was trying to tell me, except that he would have to stay in New York for a week or so. It was over fifty words long.” 8. A hidden listening device on the person of an undercover operative for the purposes of obtaining incriminating spoken evidence. Labels: countable, slang, uncountable 9. A deadline or critical endpoint. Labels: countable, informal, uncountable Example: This election is going to go right to the wire Example: If you don't surrender now, it's gonna go down to the wire 10. A wire strung with beads and hung horizontally above or near the table which is used to keep score. Labels: countable, uncountable 11. Any of the system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show; hence, the network of hidden influences controlling the action of a person or organization; strings. Labels: countable, plural-normally, uncountable Example: to pull the wires for office 12. A pickpocket, especially one who targets women. Labels: archaic, countable, uncountable 13. A covert signal sent between people cheating in a card game. Labels: countable, slang, uncountable 14. A knitting needle. Labels: Scotland, countable, uncountable 15. A long, filamenteous, ornamental feather. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Over the forehead is a large patch of pure white feathers, which shine like satin; and from the sides of the head spring the six wonderful feathers from which the bird receives its name. These are slender wires, six inches long, with a small oval web at the extremity. 16. Clipping of wire service and/or newswire. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, informal, uncountable Example: Breaking news reports have just come in to us over the wire.