I. ˈwī(-ə)r noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīr; akin to Old High German wiara fine gold work, Latin viēre to plait, and probably to Greek iris rainbow
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : metal in the form of a usually very flexible thread or slender rod
b. : a thread or rod of such material
2.
a. : wirework
b. : the meshwork of parallel or woven wire on which the wet web of paper forms
3. : something (as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike
4. plural
a. : a system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show
b. : hidden influences controlling the action of a person or organization
5.
a. : a line of wire for conducting electric current — compare cord 3b
b. : a telephone or telegraph wire or system ; especially : wire service
c. : telegram , cablegram
6. : fencing or a fence of usually barbed wire
7.
a. : the finish line of a race
b. : the final decisive moment (as of a contest)
the negotiations came down to the wire
8. : wirehair
• wire·like -ˌlīk adjective
•
- under the wire
- wire to wire
II. verb
( wired ; wir·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to provide with wire : use wire on for a specific purpose
2. : to send or send word to by telegraph
3. : to connect by or as if by a wire
4. : to predispose, determine, or establish genetically or innately
controversy over the extent to which human violence is wired biologically
intransitive verb
: to send a telegraphic message
• wir·er ˈwī(-ə)r-ər noun