telegraph
telegraph — 名詞
1. A system, mainly used from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, that sends written me
電報
用電線傳送編碼訊息的通訊系統
A system, mainly used from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, that sends written messages as electrical pulses travelling along wires, together with the machines that transmit and receive them.
Bilal sent a telegraph to warn the mine manager about the flood before the storm.
Bilal 在暴風雨來臨前發了一封電報，警告礦場主管即將發生的水災。
Darius learned to use a telegraph at the railway station where he worked.
Darius 在他工作的火車站學會了使用電報機。
collocation: use / operate a telegraph
Victory news was sent by telegraph from the front line to the capital within hours.
勝利的消息在數小時內就透過電報從前線傳到了首都。
Before the telegraph, in 1847, Élise's letter from Paris took six weeks to reach her cousin in New York.
在電報發明之前，1847 年 Élise 從巴黎寄出的信花了六週才送到她在紐約的表親手中。
The museum's old telegraph still has the metal key operators pressed to send Morse code.
博物館裡那台老舊的電報機上，還留著操作員按壓來發送摩斯密碼的金屬按鍵。
- telegram
refers to the message itself, not the system or device
用法筆記
When talking about the communication system as a historical technology, the phrase 'the telegraph' (uncountable) is most common. The countable form 'a telegraph' refers to the physical machine.
常見錯誤
telegraph — 動詞
1. To communicate with someone or transmit news, instructions, or other information
打電報
透過電報系統傳送訊息
To communicate with someone or transmit news, instructions, or other information by sending electrical signals through a telegraph wire.
The general telegraphed his orders to the troops stationed at the border.
將軍用電報把命令傳達給駐守在邊境的部隊。
grammar: telegraph + direct object (orders) to + person
Nila telegraphed her family that she had arrived safely in Sydney.
Nila 打電報給家人，告訴他們她已經安全抵達雪梨。
grammar: telegraph + person + that-clause
Journalists in the 1860s often telegraphed their stories from one city to another.
1860 年代的記者經常把報導從一個城市用電報發送到另一個城市。
The shipping company telegraphed the harbour master asking for permission to dock early.
航運公司打電報給港務局長，請求提前靠港。
When her father fell ill, Maeve telegraphed her brother and asked him to come home.
Maeve 的父親生病時，她打電報給哥哥叫他回家。
- cable
more common in modern historical writing; implies an undersea cable
- wire
informal synonym often used in American English
- send a telegram
the natural phrasal alternative; the simple verb is rarer in modern use
文法句型
telegraph + direct object (message/news/instructions)
telegraph + indirect object + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense is almost exclusively used when talking about historical periods or historical fiction. In modern contexts, 'send a telegram' or 'cabled' is more natural than 'telegraphed' as a verb.
常見錯誤
2. To unintentionally reveal what you are about to do through your movements or beh
流露；預示
不自覺地透過動作透露意圖
To unintentionally reveal what you are about to do through your movements or behaviour — for example, a boxer who drops a shoulder before throwing a punch, or a player who looks towards where they will pass the ball.
The young boxer kept telegraphing his punches by pulling back his right arm first.
那位年輕拳擊手每次出拳前都會先向後拉右臂，因而洩露了攻勢。
common in sports: telegraph + punch
A good poker player avoids telegraphing excitement when they receive strong cards.
優秀的撲克玩家在拿到好牌時會避免流露興奮的表情。
Rodrigo's eyes telegraphed his plan before he had a chance to speak about it.
Rodrigo 的眼神在他有機會開口之前，就已經透露了他的計畫。
Tennis coaches train players to avoid telegraphing where they will hit the ball.
網球教練訓練選手避免讓對手看出擊球方向。
Heloísa telegraphed her intention to shoot by glancing at the goal too long.
Heloísa 因多看了球門一眼，而洩露了射門的意圖。
文法句型
telegraph + direct object (punch / move / intention / plan)
用法筆記
This figurative sense is most common in sports commentary (boxing, tennis, basketball) and in discussions of body language and deception. It carries the idea that the signal is unintentional or careless.