v.
- cry out to (someone) in order to summon them or attract their attention.
▸telephone.
▸bring (a witness) into court to give evidence.
▸Bridge make (a particular bid) during the auction.
- (of an animal, especially a bird) make its characteristic cry.
- give a specified name to.
▸address by a specified name, title, etc.
▸consider or describe (someone or something) as being:
he's the only person I would call a friend.
- pay a brief visit.
▸
(call for)
stop to collect.
▸
(call at)
(of a train or coach) stop at (a specified station) on a particular route.
- fix a date or time for (a meeting, strike, or election).
▸predict the outcome of (a future event).
- dated inspire or urge to do something.
- Computing cause the execution of (a subroutine).
- Cricket (of an umpire) no-ball (a bowler) for throwing.
n.
- a cry made as a summons or to attract attention.
▸a telephone communication.
▸Bridge a bid, response, or double.
- the characteristic cry of a bird or other animal.
-
(call for)
an appeal or demand for.
▸
[
usu. with neg.]
demand or need for:
there is little call for antique furniture.
- a brief visit.
- a vocation:
his call to be a disciple.
- a shout by an official in a game indicating that the ball has gone out of play or that a rule has been breached.
Phrase
- at call
see on call (sense 2). - call attention to
cause people to notice. - call something into
(or in)
question
cast doubt on something. - the call of nature
euphemistic a need to urinate or defecate. - call the shots
(or tune)
take the initiative in deciding how something should be done. - call someone/thing to order
ask those present at a meeting to be silent so that business may proceed. - on call
- available to provide a professional service if necessary, but not formally on duty.
- (of money lent) repayable on demand.
Phrase verbal
- call for
require; demand. - call someone/thing down
cause someone or something to appear or occur. - call something in
require payment of a loan or promise of money. - call something off
cancel an event or agreement. - call on/upon
have recourse to. - call someone up
summon someone to serve in the army or to play in a team. - call something up
summon for use something that is stored or kept available.
Derivative
Etymology
OE ceallian, from ON kalla ‘summon loudly’.