wiretapper

Thân thiện

A detective acts as a wiretapper to gather evidence.

Definition

Noun: A person who secretly listens to or records private telephone or telegraph communications by making an illegal or covert connection to the transmission line.

Usage

A wiretapper is an individual who engages in the act of wiretapping. This term specifically refers to the person performing the action, often implying illegal surveillance or espionage. - The investigation revealed that a wiretapper had been listening to the company's confidential calls for months. - Law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant to avoid being classified as unauthorized wiretappers.

Advanced Usage

• Professional/Governmental Context: While often carrying a negative, illegal connotation, the term can also refer to individuals authorized by law, such as intelligence or law enforcement officers conducting legal surveillance. However, the word itself is neutral regarding legality.
  • The authorized wiretapper presented the court-approved warrant before proceeding.

Variants and Related Words

• Wiretap (noun/verb): The act or device used for secretly listening to communications.
  • They placed a wiretap on the phone line.
• Wiretapping (noun): The practice or instance of intercepting communications.
  • Wiretapping without a warrant is a federal crime.

Synonyms

• Eavesdropper: A more general term for someone who secretly listens to private conversations.
• Interceptor: One who seizes or interrupts communication.

Related Phrases

• To plant a bug: A colloquial phrase for secretly installing a listening device, which is a related but technically different form of surveillance than wiretapping.

Học thuật

Noun

1. someone who wiretaps a telephone or telegraph wire

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tapper
• phone tapper