wire

I. 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 • wirelike adjective II. verb (wired; wiring) 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 • wirer noun