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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



204 words match “WIRE”

WIRE n. 8 definitions
A telegraph wire or cable; hence, an electric telegraph; as, to send a message by wire. [Colloq.] Wire bed, Wire mattress, an elastic bed bottom or mattress made of wires interwoven or looped together in various ways. -- Wire bridge, a bridge suspended from wires, or cables made of wire. -- Wire cartridge, a shot car…
WIRE GUN n.
= Wire-wound gun.
WIRE TAPPER n. 2 definitions
One that taps, or cuts in on, telegraph wires and intercepts messages; hence (Slang),
WIRE-DRAWER n.
One who draws metal into wire.
WIRE-HEEL n.
A disease in the feet of a horse or other beast.
WIRE-PULLER n.
One who pulls the wires, as of a puppet; hence, one who operates by secret means; an intriguer. Political wire-pullers and convention packers. Lowell.
WIRE-PULLING n.
The act of pulling the wires, as of a puppet; hence, secret influence or management, especially in politics; intrigue.
WIRE-TAILED a.
Having some or all of the tail quills terminated in a long, slender, pointed shaft, without a web or barbules.
WIRE-WORKER n.
One who manufactures articles from wire.
WIRE-WOUND GUN n.
n in the construction of which an inner tube (either entire or in segments) is wound with wire under tension to insure greater soundness and uniformity of resistance. In modern construction hoops and jackets are shrunk on over the wire.
WIREDRAW v. 4 definitions
To form (a piece of metal) into wire, by drawing it through a hole in a plate of steel.
WIRELESS a. 3 definitions
Having no wire; specif. (Elec.),
WIREWORK n.
Work, especially openwork, formed of wires.
WIREWORM n. 2 definitions
elaters; -- so called from their slenderness and the uncommon hardness of the integument. Wireworms are sometimes very destructive to the roots of plants. Called also wire grub.
OFFICE WIRE n.
Copper wire with a strong but light insulation, used in wiring houses, etc.
PRESSURE WIRES n.
Wires leading from various points of an electric system to a central station, where a voltmeter indicates the potential of the system at those points.
STADIA HAIRS; STADIA WIRES n.
In a theodolite, etc., horizontal cross wires or hairs equidistant from the central horizontal cross wire.
TROLLEY WIRE n.
A heavy conducting wire on which the trolley car runs and from which it receives the current.
TWIRE v. 4 definitions
To peep; to glance obliquely; to leer. [Obs.] Which maids will twire 'tween their fingers. B. Jonson. I saw the wench that twired and twinkled at thee. Beau. & Fl.
TWIRE-PIPE n.
A vagabond musician. [Obs.] You are an ass, a twire-pipe. Beau. & Fl. You looked like Twire-pipe, the taborer. Chapman.
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