an apparatus or system for communicating at a distance, esp by making and breaking an electric circuit [French télégraphe, from télé- tele- + -graphe -graph]
to send or communicate (a message) by telegraph He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe — Conan Doyleto send a message to (somebody) by telegraph He telegraphed his Aunt Pratt: Have seen awful news in the papers … Shall start by packet today — Mark Twainto make (something) known by signs, esp unknowingly and in advance telegraph a punch telegrapher /təʹlegrəfə/ nountelegraphist /təʹlegrəfist/ nountelegraphy noun