WIREDRAW

Etymology

Verb

wiredraw (third-person singular simple present wiredraws, present participle wiredrawing, simple past wiredrew, past participle wiredrawn)

(transitive, now rare) To stretch (some physical thing) out, as though drawing wire; to elongate.

(transitive, obsolete) To stretch (words, a meaning etc.) to suit one's own purpose.

I am of opinion that the uncontrouled libertie, that all men have to wrest, dissipate, and wyredraw a word so religious and important, to so many severall idiomes, hath much more danger than profit following it.

Source: Wiktionary


Wire"draw`, v. t. [imp. Wiredrew; p. p. Wiredrawn; p. pr. & vb. n. Wiredrawing.]

1. To form (a piece of metal) into wire, by drawing it through a hole in a plate of steel.

2. Hence, to draw by art or violence. My sense has been wiredrawn into blasphemy. Dryden.

3. Hence, also, to draw or spin out to great length and tenuity; as, to wiredraw an argument. Such twisting, such wiredrawing, was never seen in a court of justice. Macaulay.

4. (Steam Engine)

Definition: To pass, or to draw off, (as steam) through narrow ports, or the like, thus reducing its pressure or force by friction.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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14 November 2024

FRISK

(noun) the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs; “he gave the suspect a quick frisk”


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