I. ˈkȯl verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse kalla; akin to Old English hilde calla battle herald, Old High German kallōn to talk loudly, Old Church Slavic glasŭ voice
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to speak in a loud distinct voice so as to be heard at a distance : shout
call for help
b. : to make a request or demand
call for an investigation
c. of an animal : to utter a characteristic note or cry
d. : to get or try to get into communication by telephone
just call ed to say hello
— often used with up
e. : to make a demand in card games (as for a particular card or for a show of hands)
f. : to give the calls for a square dance
2. : to make a brief visit
call ed to pay his respects
call ed on a friend
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to utter in a loud distinct voice — often used with out
call out a number
(2) : to announce or read loudly or authoritatively
call the roll
call off a row of figures
(3) : to announce the play-by-play of (as a football game)
b.
(1) : to command or request to come or be present
was call ed to testify
(2) : to cause to come : bring
call s to mind an old saying
c. : to summon to a particular activity, employment, or office
was call ed to active duty
was call ed to the bar of justice
d. : to invite or command to meet : convoke
call a meeting
e. : to rouse from sleep or summon to get up
f.
(1) : to give the order for : bring into action
call a strike against the company
call a pitchout
(2) : to manage by giving the signals or orders
that catcher call s a good game
g.
(1) : to make a demand in bridge for (a card or suit)
(2) : to require (a player) to show the hand in poker by making an equal bet
(3) : to challenge to make good on a statement
(4) : to charge with or censure for an offense
deserves to be call ed on that
h. : to attract (as game) by imitating the characteristic cry
i. : to halt (as a baseball game) because of unsuitable conditions
j. : to rule on the status of (as a pitched ball or a player's action)
call balls and strikes
call a base runner safe
k. : to give the calls for (a square dance) — often used with off
l.
(1) : to demand payment of especially by formal notice
call a loan
(2) : to demand presentation of (as a bond or option) for redemption
m.
(1) : to get or try to get in communication with by telephone
call the doctor to make an appointment
(2) : to generate signals for (a telephone number) in order to reach the party to whom the number is assigned
call 911
(3) : to make a signal to in order to transmit a message
call the flagship
2.
a. : to speak of or address by a specified name : give a name to
call her Kitty
b.
(1) : to regard or characterize as of a certain kind : consider
can hardly be call ed generous
(2) : to estimate or consider for purposes of an estimate or for convenience
call it an even dollar
c.
(1) : to describe correctly in advance of or without knowledge of the event : predict
(2) : to name or specify in advance
call the toss of a coin
3. : to temporarily transfer control of computer processing to (as a subroutine or procedure)
Synonyms: see summon
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- call a spade a spade
- call for
- call forth
- call in question
- call it a day
- call it quits
- call names
- call on
- call one's bluff
- call the shots
- call the tune
- call time
- call to account
- call upon
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : an act of calling with the voice : shout
b. : an imitation of the cry of a bird or other animal made to attract it
c. : an instrument used for calling
a duck call
d. : the cry of an animal (as a bird)
2.
a. : a request or command to come or assemble
b. : a summons or signal on a drum, bugle, or pipe
c. : admission to the bar as a barrister
d. : an invitation to become the minister of a church or to accept a professional appointment
e. : a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action
f. : a summoning of actors to rehearsal
the call is for 11 o'clock
g. : the attraction or appeal of a particular activity, condition, or place
the call of the wild
h. : an order specifying the number of men to be inducted into the armed services during a specified period
i. : the selection of a play in football
3.
a. : demand , claim
b. : need , justification
there's no call for such behavior
c. : a demand for payment of money
d. : an option to buy a specified amount of a security (as stock) or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time — compare put 2
e. : an instance of asking for something : request
many call s for Christmas stories
4. : roll call
5. : a short usually formal visit
6. : the name or thing called
the call was heads
7. : the act of calling in a card game
8. : the act of calling on the telephone
9. : a direction or a succession of directions for a square dance rhythmically called to the dancers
10. : a decision or ruling made by an official of a sports contest ; also : decision 1
a tough call to make
11. : a temporary transfer of control of computer processing to a particular set of instructions (as a subroutine or procedure)
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- at call
- within call