French word

télégraphe

Pronunciation

IPA/telegʁaf/

Meaning

  • masculine nountelegraph

Example

Nous avons vu un ancien télégraphe au musée.

We saw an old telegraph at the museum.

Illustration for télégraphe (telegraph)

More examples

Le télégraphe n'est plus utilisé pour envoyer des messages courants.

The telegraph is no longer used to send ordinary messages.

Core concept

An instrument that converts written text into coded signals for long-distance transmission.

Similar words

téléphone: A device for speaking with someone far away through electrical signals.
message: A brief written or spoken piece of information meant for another person.
lettre: A handwritten or printed document enclosed and sent to someone.

Definition in French

Désigne un appareil historique qui code les lettres en signes (par exemple points et traits) afin de transmettre un texte à distance.

Word origin

The word télégraphe uses Greek télé- 'far' and graphein 'to write', reflecting writing sent over distance.

Usage tips

  • Télégraphe and téléphone both begin with télé-, but télégraphe concerns coded written signals rather than sound.

Word lists with this word