wire English · revision 5237

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *wīraz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /waɪə/, /ˈwaɪ.ə/, US /ˈwaɪ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|wire|alt=wyre]], [[inh|ang|wīr|t=metal drawn out into a thread]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[gem-pro|*wīraz]], the source also of Old High German wiara “finest gold” and Old Norse víravirki “filigree work”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) probably from [[ine-pro|*wei-|t=to turn, twist, plait]], the base also of Latin viēre “to plait, weave”.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[withy]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fine gold filigree worn as an ornament: Old English wīr is in Beowulf, about 725.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Any metal, such as iron or copper, drawn out into a thread is from 1348.^(OED 1989) Metal strings of a musical instrument are from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) A wire as an electrical conductor is by 1747, a telegraph wire by 1846, and the telegraph system generally by 1859,^(Etymonline) which led to sending a message ''by wire'' in the 1850s.^(Cresswell 2021) The ''wire service'' sending news to papers is by 1894.^(Etymonline) A wire across a racecourse marking the finish is from 1883, which gave ''down to the wire'', undecided until the last moment, from American horse racing in the late 19th century.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) The verb, to adorn with gold wire, is from before 1300,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) to fasten with wire from 1435,^(Barnhart 1988) to send a telegram from 1859, and to furnish with electrical wiring from 1891.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – fine gold filigree.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1348 – any metal drawn out.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1435 – verb, to fasten with wire.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1747 – an electrical conductor.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1859 – the telegraph; to telegraph.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1883 – a racecourse finish wire.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1891 – to wire for electricity.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A thin flexible thread or rod of [[metal]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A length of such metal used to carry [[electricity]] or a signal.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[telegram]], or the telegraph system.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A hidden [[microphone]], as on a person's body.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To fasten or connect with wire.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To fit a building or device with electrical wires.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To send a message or money by telegraph.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[wirable]]

+ * [[wirelike]]

+ * [[wirer]]

+ * [[hot-wire]]

+ * [[miswire]]

+ * [[prewire]]

+ * [[rewire]]

+ * [[overwire]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[wireless]]

+ * [[wiring]]

+ * [[wiry]]

+ * [[withy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}