Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense telegraphs, present participle telegraphing, past tense, past participle telegraphed
1. uncountable noun [oft theNOUN]
Telegraph is a system of sending messages over long distances, either by means of electricity or by radio signals. Telegraph was used more often before the invention of telephones and computers.
Synonyms: cable, wire [informal], telegram, telex More Synonyms of telegraph
2. verb
In the past, to telegraph someone meant to send them a message by telegraph.
Churchill telegraphed an urgent message to Wavell. [VERB noun + to]
'Please,' he telegraphed, 'just leave it alone.'. [VERB with quote]
He telegraphed to me asking me to do something. [VERBto noun]
[Also V n, V]
3. verb
If someone telegraphs something that they are planning or intending to do, they make it obvious, either deliberately or accidentally, that they are going to do it.
He explicitly telegraphed his voting intentions at the next meeting. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of telegraph
telegraph in British English
(ˈtɛlɪˌɡræf, -ˌɡrɑːf)
noun
1.
a.
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
b.
(as modifier)
telegraph pole
2.
a message transmitted by such a device, system, or process; telegram
verb
3.
to send a telegram to (a person or place); wire
4. (transitive)
to transmit or send by telegraph
5. (transitive) boxing informal
to prepare to deliver (a punch) so obviously that one's opponent has ample time to avoid it
6. (transitive)
to give advance notice of (anything), esp unintentionally
7. (transitive) Canadian informal
to cast (votes) illegally by impersonating registered voters
Derived forms
telegraphist (tɪˈlɛɡrəfɪst) or telegrapher (teˈlegrapher)
noun
telegraph in American English
(ˈtɛləˌgræf)
noun
1. Obsolete
any signaling apparatus
2.
an apparatus or system that converts a coded message into electric impulses and sends it to a distant receiver: originally, Morse code signals were sent using a key that opened and closed the circuit to activate an electromagnetic sounder, but now teletypewriters, computers, radio and microwave signals, satellites, and lasers are used
verb transitive
3.
to send (a message) by telegraph
4.
to send a telegram to
5. Informal
to signal (an intended action, decision, etc.) unintentionally to another, as by a gesture or look
verb intransitive
6.
to send a telegram
Derived forms
telegrapher (teˈlegrapher) (təˈlɛgrəfər)
noun or teˈlegraphist
Word origin
Fr télégraphe: see tele- & -graph: orig. used of a semaphore