What does telegraphically mean?
Telegraphically is an adverb meaning by means of a telegraph or in the manner of a telegraph message. Its literal sense belongs largely to the history of electrical communication: news, instructions, and official messages once travelled between distant places as electrical signals. Telegraph operators developed an economical style that omitted articles, auxiliary verbs, and other details when circumstances made them obvious. As a result, “telegraphically” can now also describe writing that is conspicuously brief, abrupt, or elliptical, often with the implication that no additional words are needed. The expression is more literary and dated than its figurative meaning, which remains useful for characterizing deliberately compressed speech or writing. Its vocabulary reflects the word’s history: “telegraph” combines the Greek roots for “far” and “write,” while “telegraphically” belongs to the family of words formed from “telegraphic.”
adverbBy means of a telegraph, or in the terse, abrupt style characteristic of telegraph messages.
- By means of a telegraph.
- In a terse, abrupt, or elliptical style resembling a telegraph message.
"The warning arrived telegraphically, stripped of every unnecessary word."
"The news was sent telegraphically to the remote station."
"He replied telegraphically: “Not coming.”"
Telegraphically was once the height of fast communication: information travelled at the speed of electricity and arrived in the famously clipped style of telegraph messages.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does telegraphically come from?
English “telegraph” was formed from Greek tēle, meaning “far,” and graphein, meaning “to write.” The adjective “telegraphic” developed from this word, and “telegraphically” was formed with the adverbial suffix -ally. Its original meaning referred to communication by telegraph, while its figurative sense arose from the notably compressed language used in telegraph messages.
How telegraphically is actually used
The literal sense is now largely historical because telegraph systems have been replaced by newer technologies. The figurative sense remains literary and may suggest unusually terse, abrupt, or economical wording.
Easily confused with telegraphically
A telegraph sends coded messages over a distance, whereas telegraphy is the system or practice of transmitting information by electrical signals.