call

¹call

verb \ˈkȯl\

Definition of CALL

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 called 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 <called to pay his respects> <called 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 called to testify> (2) : to cause to come : bring <calls to mind an old saying> c : to summon to a particular activity, employment, or office <was called to active duty> <was called 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 calls 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 called 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 called 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)

— call a spade a spade

1

: to call a thing by its right name however coarse

2

: to speak frankly

— call for

1

: to call (as at one's house) to get <I'll call for you after dinner>

2

: to require as necessary or appropriate <the job calls for typing skills> <the design calls for three windows>

— call forth

: elicit, evoke <these events call forth great emotions>

— call in question or call into question

: to cast doubt upon <a report calling into question the drug's effectiveness>

— call it a day

: to stop for the remainder of the day or for the present whatever one has been doing

— call it quits

: to call it a day : quit

— call names

: to address or speak of a person or thing contemptuously or offensively

— call on

1

: to call upon

2

: to elicit a response from (as a student) <the teacher called on her first>

— call one's bluff

: to challenge in order to expose an empty pretense or threat

— call the shots

: to be in charge or control : determine the policy or procedure

— call the tune

: to call the shots

— call time

: to ask for or grant a time-out

— call to account

: to hold responsible : reprimand

— call upon

1

: require, oblige <may be called upon to do several jobs>

2

: to make a demand on : depend on <universities are called upon to produce trained professionals>

Examples of CALL

1. He called to passersby for help.
2. She called up to her husband, who was at the top of the stairs.
3. Her husband called back down to her.
4. She saw her friends across the street and called over to them.
5. He called her name in his sleep.
6. The birds were calling as the sun rose.
7. I call once a week to talk to my parents.
8. Where are you calling from?
9. May I say who's calling?
10. I try to call my parents at least once a week.

Origin of CALL

Middle English, from Old Norse kalla; akin to Old English hildecalla battle herald, Old High German kallōn to talk loudly, Old Church Slavic glasŭ voice

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CALL

Synonyms: bawl, bay, bellow, cry, holler, hollo (or halloo also hallo), roar, shout, sound off, thunder, vociferate, yell

Antonyms: continue, keep

Related Words: crow, whoop; scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squeak, squeal; caterwaul, howl, ululate, wail, yawp (or yaup), yowl; hail; speak out, speak up

Near Antonyms: breathe, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at summon

Rhymes with CALL

all, awl, ball, bawl, brawl, caul, crawl, doll, drawl, fall, gall, hall, haul, kraal, mall, maul, moll, pall, pawl, Saul, scall, scrawl, shawl, small, spall, sprawl, squall, stall, tall, thrall, trawl, wall, yawl