Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Wiredraw
Wire′drawˊ
,Verb.
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 argumentSuch twisting, such
wiredrawing
, was never seen in a court of justice. Macaulay.
4.
(Steam Engine)
To pass, or to draw off, (as steam) through narrow ports, or the like, thus reducing its pressure or force by friction.
Webster 1828 Edition
Wiredraw
WIREDRAW
,Verb.
T.
1.
To draw a metal into wire, which is done by drawing it through a hole in a plate of steel.2.
To draw into length.3.
To draw by art or violence.My sense has been wiredrawn into blasphemy.
4.
To draw or spin out to great length and tenuity; as, to wiredraw an argument.Definition 2024
wiredraw
wiredraw
English
Alternative forms
- wire-draw
- wyredraw (obsolete)
Verb
wiredraw (third-person singular simple present wiredraws, present participle wiredrawing, simple past wiredrew, past participle wiredrawn)
- (now rare) To stretch (some physical thing) out, as though drawing wire; to elongate.
- (obsolete) To stretch (words, a meaning etc.) to suit one's own purpose.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, I.56:
- 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.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, I.56: