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WIRETAPPING

 - 4 dictionary results

wire⋅tap

  [wahyuhr-tap] noun, verb, -tapped, -tap⋅ping, adjective
Use WIRETAPPING in a Sentence
–noun
1. an act or instance of tapping telephone or telegraph wires for evidence or other information.
–verb (used with object)
2. to obtain (information, evidence, etc.) by tapping telephone or telegraph wires: to wiretap conversations.
3. to listen in on by means of a wiretap: to wiretap a telephone; to wiretap a conversation.
–verb (used without object)
4. to tap telephone or telegraph wires for evidence, information, etc.
–adjective
5. pertaining to or obtained by wiretap.
Origin:
1950–55; back formation from wiretapper
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To WIRETAPPING
wire·tap   (wīr'tāp')   
n.  

  1. A concealed listening or recording device connected to a communications circuit.

  2. The act of installing such a device.

v.   wire·tapped, wire·tap·ping, wire·taps

v.   tr.

  1. To connect a concealed listening or recording device to.

  2. To monitor (a telephone line) by means of such a device.

v.   intr.
To install a concealed listening or recording device or use it to monitor communications.
wire'tap'per n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: wiretap
Function: noun
1 : an act or instance of wiretapping wiretaps are a form of a search —Whack v. State, 615 Atlantic Reporter, Second Series 1226 (1992)>
2 : an electrical connection for wiretapping —compare PEN REGISTER

Main Entry: wire·tap·ping
Pronunciation: 'wIr-"ta-pi[ng]
Function: noun
: interception of the contents of communication through a secret connection to the telephone line of one whose conversations are to be monitored usually for purposes of criminal investigation by law enforcement officers
NOTE: Wiretapping and wiretap evidence are strictly regulated under federal and state laws. An order authorizing wiretapping may be issued only when there is probable cause to believe that a person is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a particular offense, and there must be probable cause to believe that communications relating to such an offense will be obtained. Wiretapping must not be employed when a conversation is privileged, and officers must minimize interception of conversations that are not material to the investigation.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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