wire
wire / wīr/ • n. 1. metal drawn out into the form of a thin flexible thread or rod. ∎ a piece of such metal. ∎ a length or quantity of wire used, for example, for fencing or to carry an electric current. ∎ Horse Racing a wire stretched across and above the track at the finish line of a racetrack. ∎ an electronic listening device that can be concealed on a person.2. inf. a telegram or cablegram.• v. [tr.] 1. install electric circuits or wires in: wiring a plug they wired the place themselves. ∎ connect (someone or something) to a piece of electronic equipment: a microphone wired to a loudspeaker.2. provide, fasten, or reinforce with wires: they wired his jaw.3. inf. send a telegram or cablegram to: she wired her friend for advice. ∎ send (money) to (someone) by means of a telegram or cablegram: he was expecting a friend in Australia to wire him $1,500.4. snare (an animal) with wire.5. (usu. be wired) Croquet obstruct (a ball, shot, or player) by a wicket.PHRASES: by wire by telegraph.down to the wire inf. used to denote a situation whose outcome is not decided until the very last minute: it was probable that the test of nerves would go down to the wire.get one's wires crossedsee cross.under the wire inf. at the last possible opportunity; just in time.DERIVATIVES: wir·er n.ORIGIN: Old English wīr, of Germanic origin, probably from the base of Latin viere ‘plait, weave.’