telegraph

[ tel-i-graf, -grahf ]

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.

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

/ 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

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

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• telegraphist, noun

Other Words From

• te·leg·ra·pher [t, uh, -, leg, -r, uh, -fer] especially British, te·leg·ra·phist noun
• pre·tel·e·graph adjective
• re·tel·e·graph verb
• un·tel·e·graphed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of telegraph¹

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

Example Sentences

Zelensky, in his nightly address to the nation Sunday, suggested that there was little advantage to telegraphing any plans for such strikes ahead of time.

From Los Angeles Times

Like the French elites in World War II, they have become Quislings, establishing a tone of sycophancy and eagerness to please that unmistakably telegraphs that the rest of us are on our own.

From Salon

Instead, the pair communicated using telegraph keys, joking that the 1882 technology left them "literally speechless".

From BBC

But many revelations are telegraphed well in advance, and as things grow more obvious, they become less engaging.

From Los Angeles Times

In April, Iran launched a wave of drones and missiles toward Israel in a telegraphed response to the assassination of Iranian military officials in Syria.

From Salon

Related Words

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