wireless English · revision 6855

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1862}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈwaɪə.ləs/ ''(UK)''; /ˈwaɪ(jə)ɹ.ləs/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[wire]] and [[-less]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Without wires: by 1862 of unstrung pianos, and 1886 of bustles; by 1876 of telegraphy without wires.^(Etymonline) The OED dates the adjective from 1894.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Marconi's system came into use in 1897 and the word was applied to it; by 1900 it also covered sending speech, wireless telephony, and so radio broadcasting.^(Etymonline) As a noun, radio broadcasting is from 1903 and a radio-telegram from 1904,^(OED 1989) and a radio set from the 1920s (1921 in Etymonline, 1927 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Both senses were later replaced by the international [[radio]], though wireless lasted in British use.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) In the late 20th century it was revived for computer networks and devices that work without cables.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1862 – of unstrung pianos.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1876 – wireless telegraphy.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1894 – the adjective, in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1903 – radio broadcasting.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – a radio set.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Using [[radio]] signals rather than wires: ''a wireless network''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(chiefly British, dated)'' A radio set, or radio [[broadcasting]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A wireless computer network.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[wirelessly]]

+ * [[wirelessness]]

+ * [[prewireless]]

+ * [[wireless telegraphy]]

+ * [[wireless telephony]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[wire]]

+ * [[radio]]

+ * [[telegraph]]

+ * [[Wi-Fi]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}