call
call /ˈkɔl/
noun
-
()
A telephone connection
(
phone call
, telephone call
, call
)
a telephone connection
She reported several anonymous calls
she reported several anonymous calls
He placed a phone call to London
he placed a phone call to London
He heard the phone ringing but didn't want to take the call
he heard the phone ringing but didn't want to take the call
-
()
A loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
(
vociferation
, outcry
, call
, cry
, shout
, yell
)
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
The speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience
the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience
-
()
A demand especially in the phrase
(
claim
, call
)
a demand especially in the phrase
The call of duty
the call of duty
-
()
A brief social visit
(
call
)
a brief social visit
Senior professors' wives no longer make afternoon calls on newcomers
senior professors' wives no longer make afternoon calls on newcomers
The characters in Henry James' novels are forever paying calls on each other, usually in the parlor of some residence
the characters in Henry James' novels are forever paying calls on each other, usually in the parlor of some residence
-
()
The characteristic sound produced by a bird
(
birdcall
, birdsong
, call
, song
)
the characteristic sound produced by a bird
A bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
a bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
-
The option to buy a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
(
call
, call option
)
the option to buy a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
-
(sport) the decision made by an umpire or referee
(
call
)
(sport) the decision made by an umpire or referee
He was ejected for protesting the call
he was ejected for protesting the call
-
A visit in an official or professional capacity
(
call
)
a visit in an official or professional capacity
The pastor's calls on his parishioners
the pastor's calls on his parishioners
The salesman's call on a customer
the salesman's call on a customer
-
An instruction that interrupts the program being executed
(
call
)
an instruction that interrupts the program being executed
Pascal performs calls by simply giving the name of the routine to be executed
Pascal performs calls by simply giving the name of the routine to be executed
-
A request
(
call
)
a request
Many calls for Christmas stories
many calls for Christmas stories
Not many calls for buggywhips
not many calls for buggywhips
-
A demand for a show of hands in a card game
(
call
)
a demand for a show of hands in a card game
After two raises there was a call
after two raises there was a call
-
A demand by a broker that a customer deposit enough to bring his margin up to the minimum requirement
(
call
, margin call
)
a demand by a broker that a customer deposit enough to bring his margin up to the minimum requirement
verb
-
()
Assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
(
be known as
, know as
, name
, call
)
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
They named their son David
They named their son David
The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader
The new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader
-
()
Ascribe a quality to or give a name of a common noun that reflects a quality
(
call
)
ascribe a quality to or give a name of a common noun that reflects a quality
He called me a bastard
He called me a bastard
She called her children lazy and ungrateful
She called her children lazy and ungrateful
-
()
Get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
(
call up
, ring
, phone
, call
, telephone
)
get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
I tried to call you all night
I tried to call you all night
Take two aspirin and call me in the morning
Take two aspirin and call me in the morning
-
()
Order, request, or command to come
(
send for
, call
)
order, request, or command to come
She was called into the director's office
She was called into the director's office
Call the police!
Call the police!
-
()
Utter a sudden loud cry
(
hollo
[Non-standard] , shout out
, squall
, call
, cry
, holler
[Informal] , scream
, shout
, yell
)
utter a sudden loud cry
She cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
-
()
Call a meeting; invite or command to meet
(
call
)
call a meeting; invite or command to meet
The Wannsee Conference was called to discuss the Final Solution'
The Wannsee Conference was called to discuss the Final Solution'
The new dean calls meetings every week
The new dean calls meetings every week
-
()
Pay a brief visit
(
call in
, call
, visit
)
pay a brief visit
The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens
The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens
-
()
Utter a characteristic note or cry
(
call
)
utter a characteristic note or cry
Bluejays called to one another
bluejays called to one another
-
()
(telecommunication) send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc.; make a signal to in order to transmit a message
(
call
)
(telecommunication) send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc.; make a signal to in order to transmit a message
Hawaii is calling!
Hawaii is calling!
A transmitter in Samoa was heard calling
A transmitter in Samoa was heard calling
-
()
Read aloud to check for omissions or absentees
(
call
)
read aloud to check for omissions or absentees
Call roll
Call roll
-
Rouse somebody from sleep with a call
(
call
)
rouse somebody from sleep with a call
I was called at 5 A.M. this morning
I was called at 5 A.M. this morning
-
Consider or regard as being
(
call
)
consider or regard as being
I would not call her beautiful
I would not call her beautiful
-
Challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of
(
call
)
challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of
Call the speaker on a question of fact
call the speaker on a question of fact
-
Utter in a loud voice or announce
(
call
)
utter in a loud voice or announce
He called my name
He called my name
The auctioneer called the bids
The auctioneer called the bids
-
Order, summon, or request for a specific duty or activity, work, role
(
call
)
order, summon, or request for a specific duty or activity, work, role
He was already called 4 times for jury duty
He was already called 4 times for jury duty
They called him to active military duty
They called him to active military duty
-
Order, request or give a command for
(
call
)
order, request or give a command for
The unions called a general strike for Sunday
The unions called a general strike for Sunday
-
Lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal
(
call
)
lure by imitating the characteristic call of an animal
Call ducks
Call ducks
-
Declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee
(
call
)
declare in the capacity of an umpire or referee
Call a runner out
call a runner out
-
Challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offense
(
call
)
challenge (somebody) to make good on a statement; charge with or censure for an offense
He deserves to be called on that
He deserves to be called on that
-
Require the presentation of for redemption before maturation
(
call
)
require the presentation of for redemption before maturation
Call a bond
Call a bond
-
Make a prediction about; tell in advance
(
call
, forebode
, foretell
, anticipate
, predict
, prognosticate
, promise
)
make a prediction about; tell in advance
Call the outcome of an election
Call the outcome of an election
-
(sport) indicate a decision in regard to
(
call
)
(sport) indicate a decision in regard to
Call balls and strikes behind the plate
call balls and strikes behind the plate
-
Give the calls (to the dancers) for a square dance
(
call
, call off
)
give the calls (to the dancers) for a square dance
-
(card game) make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
(
call
, bid
)
(card game) make a demand, as for a card or a suit or a show of hands
He called his trump
He called his trump
-
Demand payment of (a loan)
(
call
, call in
)
demand payment of (a loan)
Call a loan
Call a loan
-
Make a stop in a harbour
(
call
)
make a stop in a harbour
The ship will call in Honolulu tomorrow
The ship will call in Honolulu tomorrow
-
Greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
(
address
, call
)
greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name
He always addresses me with Sir'
He always addresses me with Sir'
Call me Mister
Call me Mister
She calls him by first name
She calls him by first name
-
Stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather
(
call
)
stop or postpone because of adverse conditions, such as bad weather
Call a football game
call a football game
noun
-
()
A special disposition (as if from a divine source) to pursue a particular course
(
Call
)
a special disposition (as if from a divine source) to pursue a particular course
He was disappointed that he had not heard the Call
he was disappointed that he had not heard the Call