wiretapper

American  

[wahyuhr-tap-er] / ˈwaɪərˌtæp ər /

noun

1. a person who taps wires to learn the nature of messages passing over them.

2. a swindler who professes to have betting tips or other information from tapped telephone wires.

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Etymology

Origin of wiretapper

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + tapper ²

Example Sentences

They were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, wiretapper Jimmy Vaus, who had converted to Christianity after attending Graham sermons.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2018

Muhe died of cancer in 2007, shortly after completing his acclaimed performance as a Stasi wiretapper in The Lives of Others.

From The Guardian • Jul. 27, 2012

A boneheaded move—showing confidential FBI documents to his actress-flame Linda Fiorentino, who said she was researching a script about L.A. wiretapper extraordinaire Anthony Pellicano—cost him his career in 2008 and nearly landed him in jail.

From Newsweek

Dean claimed that he transmitted the message to McCord after being told to do so by Mitchell, who had indicated that similar assurances of clemency had been given to Hunt, another convicted wiretapper.

From Time Magazine Archive

In other words," he resumed, "it might be used for eavesdropping by a wireless wiretapper.

From The War Terror by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)