Main Entry: ¹call

Pronunciation: \ˈkȯl\

Function: verb

Etymology: 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

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 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)

synonyms see summon

— 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>