wiring
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the system of wires that carries electricity around a building, car, or piece of equipment.
n.the network of electrical conductors and associated fittings within a structure, vehicle, or electronic device.
Simple“The old house needs new wiring because the current system is dangerous.”
In context“The fire investigator determined that faulty electrical wiring behind the kitchen wall was the primary cause of the blaze.”
UsageOften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the system as a whole.
Synonymscablingcircuits - 02 C1 Advanced
n.the way someone's brain or personality is naturally organized.
n.the metaphorical internal 'circuitry' of a person's mind or temperament, often implying an innate or biological basis.
Simple“I am a morning person; it is just how my wiring works.”
In context“Recent neurological studies suggest that the wiring of the adolescent brain makes teenagers more prone to risk-taking behaviour than adults.”
UsageUsually used with a possessive like 'my' or 'her'.
Teacher's tipThis is a common metaphorical use in modern psychology and self-help contexts; it suggests that certain traits are hard-wired and difficult to change.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.the act of putting electric wires into a place or connecting them.
v.the present participle of 'wire', referring to the process of installing electrical cables or connecting a circuit.
Simple“He spent the whole afternoon wiring the new speakers to the stereo.”
In context“Wiring the entire office complex for high-speed internet took the technical team nearly three weeks of intensive labour.”
UsageFunctions as the gerund or present continuous form of the verb 'wire'.
Synonymsconnectingcabling
“The damage follows a surprisingly organized pattern tied to the brain’s chemistry and wiring.”
From wire + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.