live wiren.
/ˌlʌɪv ˈwʌɪə/, U.S. /ˈlaɪv ˈwaɪ(ə)r/ 1. A wire carrying an electric current; spec. the conducting wire in a single-phase electricity supply.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > wire as conductor > [noun]
wire1746
electric wire1819
rheophore1827
live wire1881
line1886
power wire1890
1881 Globe (Atchison, Kansas) 7 Feb. The American Union hadn't a single live wire running into its office.
1889 Science 27 Sept. 221/2 John Powers, an employee of the Brush Electric-Light Company, thoughtlessly took hold of a live wire with one hand, and with the other made an excellent ground connection.
1913 D. S. Munro Pract. of Electr. Wiring xx. 181 When the neutral wire is itself practically at earth potential there are, of course, increased risks, if the live wire be in contact with its metal cover.
1943 Times 5 Mar. 2/4 Until the current was cut off rescue parties working in the dark were in danger of being killed by live wires.
1990 S. Morgan Homeboy xxii. 89 Like a spark between live wires, withdrawal leaps from one host junkie to another whose narcotic insulation is wearing thin.
2003 D. G. Applin et al. AQA Modular Sci. for GCSE x. 281 If the live wire inside a table lamp breaks and touches the neutral wire, a short circuit occurs.
2. colloquial (originally U.S.). A person who is full of energy or enthusiasm; an exceptionally lively or talented person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigorous or energetic person
pealerc1400
terrier1532
swinger1583
whipster1590
fireman1648
my (also me) hearty1735
whitherer1790
spunkie1806
vigorist1807
spunk1808
goer1811
smiter1823
hard hitter1831
blue hen's chicken (also chick)1859
stem-winder1875
vital force1886
live wire1896
towser1901
powerhouse1908
jazzer1912
1896 S. A. Steel On Wing xii. 230 Cobern is a live wire. He can laugh at a good thing with genuine zest.
1899 W. J. Kountz Billy Baxter's Lett. 50 It is only a matter of time until they stumble over a live wire, and then it will be pay-day on the Wabash.
a1911 D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox (1917) II. v. 110 I sized you up as a live wire the minute I saw you.
1935 W. H. Auden & C. Isherwood Dog beneath Skin i. ii. 39 And I'm the live wire of the Evening Moon.
1952 J. C. Masterman To teach Senators Wisdom i. 17 He was, if anyone was, the live wire of the Senior Common Room.
1971 Daily Tel. 21 Aug. 14/4 The live-wire management here will miss few opportunities given the right political and economic background in which to operate.
2005 Z. Smith On Beauty 171 He's a live wire—I know Howie would say that Jerome's probably the brightest of the three of them—I mean Zora works hard, God knows, but Jerome—.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1881