n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: rang \ ' ra ŋ \ ; rung \ ' r ə ŋ \ ; ring · ing \ ' ri ŋ -i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hringan; akin to Old Norse hringja to ring
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to sound resonantly or sonorously <the doorbell rang > <cheers rang out>
2 a : to be filled with a reverberating sound : RESOUND <the halls rang with laughter> b : to have the sensation of being filled with a humming sound <his ears rang >
3 : to cause something to ring < ring for the butler>
4 a : to be filled with talk or report <the whole land rang with her fame> b : to have great renown c : to sound repetitiously <their praise rang in his ears>
5 : to have a sound or character expressive of some quality <a story that ring s true>
6 chiefly British : to make a telephone call ― usually used with up
transitive verb
1 : to cause to sound especially by striking
2 : to make (a sound) by or as if by ringing a bell
3 : to announce by or as if by ringing
4 : to repeat often, loudly, or earnestly
5 a : to summon especially by bell b chiefly British : TELEPHONE ― usually used with up
– ring a bell : to arouse a response <that name rings a bell >
– ring down the curtain : to conclude a performance or an action
– ring off the hook : to ring frequently or constantly with incoming calls <the telephone was ringing off the hook >
– ring the changes or ring changes : to run through the range of possible variations
– ring up the curtain : to begin a performance or an action