Definitions for the word "call" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. v. t.
To command or request to come or be present; to summon; as, to call a servant.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. v. t.
To summon to the discharge of a particular duty; to designate for an office, or employment, especially of a religious character; -- often used of a divine summons; as, to be called to the ministry; sometimes, to invite; as, to call a minister to be the pastor of a church.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. v. t.
To invite or command to meet; to convoke; -- often with together; as, the President called Congress together; to appoint and summon; as, to call a meeting of the Board of Aldermen.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. t.
To give name to; to name; to address, or speak of, by a specifed name.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. t.
To regard or characterize as of a certain kind; to denominate; to designate.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. v. t.
To state, or estimate, approximately or loosely; to characterize without strict regard to fact; as, they call the distance ten miles; he called it a full day's work.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. v. t.
To show or disclose the class, character, or nationality of.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. v. t.
To utter in a loud or distinct voice; -- often with off; as, to call, or call off, the items of an account; to call the roll of a military company.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. t.
To invoke; to appeal to.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. v. t.
To rouse from sleep; to awaken.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
11. v. i.
To speak in loud voice; to cry out; to address by name; -- sometimes with to.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
12. v. i.
To make a demand, requirement, or request.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
13. v. i.
To make a brief visit; also, to stop at some place designated, as for orders.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
14. n.
The act of calling; -- usually with the voice, but often otherwise, as by signs, the sound of some instrument, or by writing; a summons; an entreaty; an invitation; as, a call for help; the bugle's call.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
15. n.
A signal, as on a drum, bugle, trumpet, or pipe, to summon soldiers or sailors to duty.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
16. n.
An invitation to take charge of or serve a church as its pastor.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
17. n.
A requirement or appeal arising from the circumstances of the case; a moral requirement or appeal.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
18. n.
A divine vocation or summons.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
19. n.
Vocation; employment.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
20. n.
A short visit; as, to make a call on a neighbor; also, the daily coming of a tradesman to solicit orders.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
21. n.
A note blown on the horn to encourage the hounds.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
22. n.
A whistle or pipe, used by the boatswain and his mate, to summon the sailors to duty.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
23. n.
The cry of a bird; also a noise or cry in imitation of a bird; or a pipe to call birds by imitating their note or cry.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
24. n.
A reference to, or statement of, an object, course, distance, or other matter of description in a survey or grant requiring or calling for a corresponding object, etc., on the land.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
25. n.
The privilege to demand the delivery of stock, grain, or any commodity, at a fixed, price, at or within a certain time agreed on.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
26. n.
See Assessment, 4.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
27. v.
1 a (often foll. By out) cry, shout; speak loudly. B (of a bird etc.) Emit its characteristic sound. 2 communicate with by telephone or radio. 3 summon. 4 (often foll. By at, in, on) pay a brief visit. 5 order to take place (called a meeting). 6 name; describe as. 7 regard as (i call that silly). 8 rouse from sleep. 9 (foll. By for) demand. 10 (foll. By on, upon) appeal to (called on us to be quiet). 11 name (a suit) in bidding at cards. 12 guess the outcome of tossing a coin etc. n. 1 shout, cry. 2 a characteristic cry of a bird etc. B instrument for imitating it. 3 brief visit. 4 a act of telephoning. B telephone conversation. 5 a invitation, summons. B vocation. 6 need, occasion (no call for rudeness). 7 demand (a call on one''s time). 8 signal on a bugle etc. 9 option of buying stock at a fixed price at a given date. 10 cards a player''s right or turn to make a bid. B bid made. call in 1 withdraw from circulation. 2 seek the advice or services of. Call off 1 cancel (an arrangement). 2 order (an attacker or pursuer) to desist. Call out 1 summon to action. 2 order (workers) to strike. Call the shots (or tune) colloq. Be in control; take the initiative. Call up 1 telephone. 2 recall. 3 summon to military service. On call ready or available if required. [old english from old norse]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
28. slang
a notice of rehearsal, or any other occasion requiring the
company’s presence, posted up in a theatre. “We’re CALLED for eleven
to-morrow morning.”
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
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Additional Info
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