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| wire [ wīr ] |
noun (plural wires) |
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| Definition: |
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1. strand of metal: metal in the form of thin flexible strands, or a single strand of it
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2. metal strand carrying electric current: a strand of metal, usually copper, that is encased in plastic or another insulating material and is used to carry an electric current
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3. mesh structure: a mesh made of strands of metal, or a structure made of the mesh, e.g. a fence
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4. sports racetrack finish line: the finish line on a racetrack
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5. U.S. end or finish: the end of something, or the time when something ends
(
informal
)
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6. U.S. electronic listening device: a small electronic listening device concealed in somebody's clothes
(
slang
)
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7. telecommunications cable providing telecommunications link: a cable that provides a telecommunications link
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8. telecommunications telegram or telegraph: a telegram, or the telegraph system
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verb (past and past participle wired, present participle wir·ing, 3rd person present singular wires) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb fasten something with wire: to use wire to fasten or secure something
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2. transitive and intransitive verb equip place with electrical wires: to install a system of electrical wires in a building or an area
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3. transitive verb connect electrical equipment: to connect a piece of electrical equipment to a power source or to another piece of equipment
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4. transitive verb send telegram: to send a telegram to somebody, or send something to somebody by means of a telegram
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5. transitive verb provide place with necessary equipment: to provide a place with the equipment, especially electrical or electronic equipment, needed to give it a particular facility or capability
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6. transitive verb U.S. fit somebody with listening device: to fit somebody or a place with a concealed electronic listening device
(
slang
)
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7. transitive verb physiology determine function with physiological structure: to control a function in the body by means of a neurological or physiological structure or process
  This is learned behavior; it's not wired into the genes.
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| [ Old English wīr "metal thread" < Indo-European, "twist"] |
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down to the wire to the very last minute
writing in their blue books right down to the wire
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go to the wire to risk your reputation, job, or life in order to help somebody (informal)
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have or get your wires crossed to have a misunderstanding
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