Definition

Noun: A telegram sent to a destination in another country; a message transmitted via telegraph across international borders.

Usage

This term specifically refers to the act or instance of sending a telegram internationally. It is a compound noun where "overseas" modifies "telegram" to specify the international nature of the communication. * The company sent an overseas telegram to confirm the urgent order with their supplier in France. * Before the internet, an overseas telegram was a common way to relay important news across continents quickly.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is largely historical, reflecting a period when telegraphy was a primary means of rapid long-distance written communication. Its usage has declined with the advent of email, instant messaging, and other digital technologies.
  • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, an overseas telegram was the fastest way to communicate between Europe and the Americas.

Variants and Related Words

• Cablegram (noun): A synonym, especially common for telegrams sent via submarine communications cables.
• International Telegram (noun): A more modern or descriptive synonym.
• Telegraph (noun/verb): The system or the act of sending messages via telegraph.
• Wire (noun, informal): A colloquial term for a telegram (e.g., "send a wire").

Synonyms

• Cablegram
• International telegram
• Foreign dispatch

Antonyms

• Domestic telegram (a telegram sent within the same country)

Noun

1. a telegram sent abroad