wire
English meaning: Wire
Definition
Metal formed into a thin, even thread, now usually by being drawn through a hole in a steel die.
Example
“He stripped the plastic coating off the wire before connecting it.”
Another example: “The agent wore a wire to record the suspect's confession.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral and everyday in the physical sense (metal thread), and journalistic in extended senses (a news wire, secret recording, 'down to the wire'). Verb sense means to connect electrically or to send money. Common technically and idiomatically.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'wir' (metal thread), of Germanic origin, ultimately related to Latin 'viere' (to bind, plait).
Synonyms
- cable
- electrify
- conducting wire
- telegraph
- telegram
Antonyms / Opposites
- unwire
- disconnect
Related Words
Common Collocations
- barbed wire
- live wire
- wire fence
- down to the wire
- wire transfer
- copper wire
Word Forms
wire (n); wires (pl.); wire (v); wired; wiring
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B