telegraph
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telegraph
A historical device or system for transmitting messages over long distances using coded signals, such as Morse code. It was a precursor to the telephone and the internet.
Früher wurden wichtige Nachrichten per Telegraph verschickt.
In the past, important messages were sent by telegraph.
The word comes from Greek: 'tele' means 'far' and 'graphein' means 'to write'. A Telegraph (telegraph) is therefore literally a 'distance-writer'.
Der Telegraph ermöglichte es, Nachrichten sekundenschnell über Kontinente zu senden.
The telegraph made it possible to send messages across continents in seconds.
The verb 'telegraphieren' (to telegraph; to send a message by telegraph) and the noun 'die Telegraphie' (telegraphy; the technology of telegraphing) are derived from the noun 'der Telegraph' (the telegraph).
Er musste die dringende Nachricht nach Übersee telegraphieren.
He had to telegraph the urgent message overseas.
To express the method of transmission, the preposition 'per' is used very frequently. Typical formulations are 'per Telegraph senden' (to send by telegraph), 'per Telegraph übermitteln' (to transmit by telegraph), or 'eine Nachricht per Telegraph erhalten' (to receive a message by telegraph).
Die Botschaft wurde per Telegraph an alle Außenposten übermittelt.
The message was transmitted by telegraph to all outposts.
This word is used almost exclusively in a historical context when talking about communication in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Im Technikmuseum ist ein originaler Telegraph ausgestellt.
An original telegraph is on display in the technology museum.
telephone
'Telefon' and 'Telegraph' are both devices or systems that allowed people to send messages over long distances. But the difference is important: with a 'Telefon', you speak directly with another person. The 'Telegraph' was an older system in which messages were sent as signs or codes, for example using Morse code. Learners may confuse the words because of their similar form and their shared topic of communication. Today, 'Telefon' is the normal everyday word; 'Telegraph' is mainly used in historical contexts.
Im Museum erklärt ein alter Telegraph, wie Nachrichten früher gesendet wurden.
In the museum, an old telegraph shows how messages used to be sent.
Nach dem Essen ruft der Chef mich auf dem Telefon im Büro an.
After dinner, the boss calls me on the office telephone.