telegraph

American  

[tel-i-graf, -grahf] / ˈtɛl ɪˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

noun

1. an apparatus, system, or process for transmitting messages or signals to a distant place, especially by means of an electric device consisting essentially of a sending instrument and a distant receiving instrument connected by a conducting wire or other communications channel.

2. Nautical. an apparatus, usually mechanical, for transmitting and receiving orders between the bridge of a ship and the engine room or some other part of the engineering department.

3. a message sent by telegraph; a telegram.

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verb (used with object)

1. to transmit or send (a message) by telegraph.

2. to send a message to (a person) by telegraph.

3. Informal. to divulge or indicate unwittingly (one's intention, next offensive move, etc.), as to an opponent or to an audience; broadcast.

   The fighter telegraphed his punch and his opponent was able to parry it. If you act nervous too early in the scene, you'll telegraph the character's guilt.

verb (used without object)

1. to send a message by telegraph.

telegraph British  

/ tɪˈlɛɡrəfɪst, -ˌɡrɑːf, ˈtɛlɪˌɡræf /

noun

1. 1. a device, system, or process by which information can be transmitted over a distance, esp using radio signals or coded electrical signals sent along a transmission line connected to a transmitting and a receiving instrument

   2. ( as modifier )

      telegraph pole

2. a message transmitted by such a device, system, or process; telegram

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verb

1. to send a telegram to (a person or place); wire

2. (tr) to transmit or send by telegraph

3. informal (tr) boxing to prepare to deliver (a punch) so obviously that one's opponent has ample time to avoid it

4. (tr) to give advance notice of (anything), esp unintentionally

5. informal (tr) to cast (votes) illegally by impersonating registered voters

telegraph Scientific  

/ tĕl′ĭ-grăf′ /

1. A communications system in which a message in the form of short, rapid electric impulses is sent, either by wire or radio, to a receiving station. Morse code is often used to encode messages in a form that is easily transmitted through electric impulses.

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Other Word Forms

• pretelegraph adjective
• retelegraph verb
• telegrapher noun
• telegraphist noun
• untelegraphed adjective

Etymology

Origin of telegraph

< French télégraphe (1792) a kind of manual signaling device; tele- ¹, -graph

Example Sentences

There was a lot of whispering and telegraphing and general secretiveness, the details of which even my sensitive ears could not take in.

From Literature

Experts say the FAA’s shifting approach telegraphs a disquieting truth about air safety as private companies increasingly push to use the skies as their laboratories: Regulators are learning as they go.

From Salon

Security officials urge family members not to telegraph appearances at charity events or to post on social media about vacations or other activities that pinpoint their locations.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is dealing with another conundrum: whether showing his full résumé telegraphs his age.

From The Wall Street Journal

These moving-average crossovers aren’t necessarily meant to be market-timing signals, given how telegraphed they are, but can act as an acknowledgment of how recent gains have been sustained long enough to impact the long-term outlook.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• anticipate
• augur
• calculate
• conclude
• determine
• estimate
• foresee
• foretell
• gauge
• portend