[f. TELE- + -GRAPHY. Cf. Ger. telegraphie (Böckmann, 1794), F. télégraphie (Mozin, Dict. franç.-allem., 1812).] The art or science of constructing or using telegraphs; the working of a telegraph or telegraphs.
Wireless telegraphy: see WIRELESS.
1795. Edgeworth, in Trans. R. Irish Acad. (1797), VI. 96. Tamerlane’s telegraphy was not very refined…. Whenever he laid siege to any town he used to employ three signals—the first day he set up a white flag [etc.]. Ibid., 111. The advantages which by means of Telegraphy would result to commerce must … be extensive.
1847. in Webster.
1858. Times, 28 Aug., 10/6. The cause of telegraphy has too many demands upon the labours of these practised cable layers, to permit them to be idle here.
1861. W. Fairbairn, Addr. to Brit. Assoc. In land telegraphy the chief difficulties have been surmounted, but in submarine telegraphy much remains to be accomplished.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 101. In these days of electric telegraphy every one is familiar with the … galvanic or voltaic battery.
1901. Westm. Gaz., 7. Oct., 10/1. It was on July, 25, 1837, that the first practical trial of telegraphy was made between Euston and Camden, on the London and North-Western Railway, by Cooke and Wheatstone.
fig. 1864. Daily Tel., 26 May. That kind of social telegraphy which seems to convey intelligence with a mystery and rapidity quite as wonderful as the electric wire.
1891. ‘Mark Twain,’ in Harper’s Mag., Christm. No. (title), Mental Telegraphy.
