a. [f. as prec. + -IC. Cf. F. télégraphique.]
1. Of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or connected with a telegraph; made, sent, or transmitted by telegraph. a. In reference to the earlier ‘telegraphs’ or signalling devices. Now rare.
1794. [see TELEGRAPH sb. 1].
1794. Gentl. Mag., LXIV. II. 815/2. The new-invented telegraphic language of signals.
1794. European Mag., Sept., 166. By a new Telegraphic Machine, invented by Citizen Chapelle the news … has been received … in one hour.
1805. Capt. Crumby, in 19th Cent., Nov. (1899), 722. Lord Nelson made the telegraphic signal, ‘England expects that every man will do his duty.’
1808. J. Macdonald, Telegraphic Commun., 36. Homer is the first who mentions the Telegraphic art.
1829. Marryat, F. Mildmay, vi. Looking for the telegraphic signal-box.
1842. Alison, Hist. Europe (1850), XIII. lxxii. § 85. 569. On the morning of the 3d March, a telegraphic despatch from the prefect of Toulon announced the landing of Napoleon.
b. In reference to the electric telegraph.
[1823. Ronalds, Descr. Electr. Tel., 8. By the use of a telegraphic dictionary a word, or even a whole sentence could be conveyed by … three discharges.]
1840. [see TELEPHONIC].
1841. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 7), XXI. 689/2. Wheatstone’s Electromagnetic Telegraph…. We are convinced … will not be confined to long telegraphic lines, but will also be extensively employed in public and private establishments.
1854. B’ness Bunsen, in Hare, Life (1879), II. iv. 168. We received yesterday the telegraphic announcement [etc.].
1854. Gilfillan, Life R. Blair, B.’s Wks. 128. As if on telegraphic wires.
1857. Lady Canning, in Hare, Two Noble Lives (1893), II. 199. The wording of telegraphic messages requires the utmost care.
1877. W. Thomson, Voy. Challenger, I. i. 1. The wonderful project of establishing a telegraphic communication between the old world and the new.
2. fig. † a. Large and conspicuous, like the letters exhibited by some early forms of telegraph. Obs. b. Making signals (as by glance or gesture); conveyed by a sign or signal: cf. TELEGRAPH v. 2. ? Obs. c. Resembling an (electric) telegraph; conveying impulses or intelligence as by electricity.
d. Abbreviated or concise like a telegram.
1809. Simeon, Lett., in Carus, Life, xi. (1847), 276. His attacks on me were frequent, with my name in telegraphic characters.
18[?]. T. Moore, Country Dance & Quad., xxix. Watchful chaperons,… Who intercept all signal tones, And read all telegraphic faces.
1838. Buckstone, Shocking Events (French’s ed.), 9. Sir … I cannot allow any telegraphic dispatches with my female domestic—no winking here.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sci. (1879), I. iii. 95. Who … put the soul into this telegraphic body?
1896. ‘Curtis Yorke,’ Those Children, vi. [His] words … were few, and his speech as telegraphic as though each word were paid for.
Hence Telegraphical a. (rare), telegraphic; Telegraphically adv. [see -ICALLY], by means of a telegraph, by telegraph or telegram; in relation to a telegraph.
1799. Monthly Rev., May, 20. Mr. E. accounts telegraphically for the answer given by the Delphic Oracle to Crœsus.
1808. J. Macdonald, Telegraphic Commun., Pref. 34. Whenever a word is to be spelt, Telegraphically.
1833. Etzler, Paradise, I. 32–3. This [stationary vessels] affords, thereby, means for telegraphical lines across the ocean from one continent to another, and to send intelligence over the same in less than one hour.
1846. Worcester, Telegraphic, Telegraphical.
1847. De Quincey, in Tait’s Mag., XIV. 668. Brought down telegraphically from some altitude inaccessible to himself.
1883. Standard, 14 Feb., 5/4. He was summoned telegraphically.
1905. Daily News, 17 March, 7. Queenstown is cut off telegraphically, all the poles having been blown down.
