wire

Main Entry:: ¹wire
Pronunciation:: \ˈwī(-ə)r\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often attributive
Etymology:: Middle English, from Old English wīr; akin to Old High German wiara fine gold work, Latin viēre to plait, and probably to Greek iris rainbow
Date:: before 12th century

1 a: metal in the form of a usually very flexible thread or slender rod b: a thread or rod of such material2 a: wirework b: the meshwork of parallel or woven wire on which the wet web of paper forms3: something (as a thin plant stem) that is wirelike4plural a: a system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show b: hidden influences controlling the action of a person or organization5 a: a line of wire for conducting electric current — compare cord 3b b: a telephone or telegraph wire or system ; especially : wire service c: telegram , cablegram6: fencing or a fence of usually barbed wire7 a: the finish line of a race b: the final decisive moment (as of a contest) <the negotiations came down to the wire>8: wirehair

— wire·like

\-ˌlīk\ adjective

— under the wire

1: at the finish line2: at the last moment

— wire to wire or from wire to wire

: from start to finish <led the race wire to wire>

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