telephone wire
Noun A single insulated metallic conductor, or a pair of such conductors twisted together, used to carry electrical signals for telephone communication. It forms a physical link in a telephone network.
The term "telephone wire" refers specifically to the physical cable used for landline telephone connections. It is a count noun.
Examples * The storm brought down the telephone wire, cutting off service to the village. * Technicians are installing new telephone wires along the street. * Birds often perch on the telephone wires strung between the poles.
- Historical Context: In early and mid-20th century contexts, "telephone wire" often implied open, uninsulated wires strung on poles. Modern installations typically use insulated, bundled cables, but the term is still used.
- As a Synecdoche: The term can sometimes be used to represent the entire telephone system or network in a general sense.
- Example: "News of the victory traveled down the telephone wire long before the official announcement."
- Telephone line: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably. It can refer to the physical wire or the complete circuit/connection.
- Telegraph wire: A historically related term for wires used in telegraph systems, which preceded telephones.
- Landline: Refers to the traditional telephone service that uses physical wires, as opposed to wireless/cellular service.
- Cable: A broader term that can include telephone wires, television cables, and fiber-optic lines.
- Phone line
- Landline wire
- Communication wire
The core meaning is the physical conductive wire. It does not refer to the telephone instrument itself, the conversation, or a wireless signal. The term emphasizes the tangible infrastructure of wired telephony.
- the wire that carries telegraph and telephone signals