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Topic: TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH

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answer answering machine area code beeper bleep bleeper busy cable(n) cable(v) call box caller cell cellphone cellular phone chat line code conference call connect cradle crossed dead dial(n) dial(v) dialling code dialling tone dial tone directory enquiries disconnect earpiece Entryphone ex-directory ext. extension facsimile helpline hotline housephone line local call mayday mobile mobile phone Morse code mouthpiece number operator pay phone phone book phone booth phone box phonecard radio-telephone receiver redial ring scrambler SOS switchboard telegram telegraph(n) telegraph(v) telegrapher telegraphist telegraph pole telemarketing telephone(n) telephone(v) telephone book telephone box telephone call telephone directory telephone exchange telephone number telephone pole telephonist teleprinter teletypewriter telex toll-free Touch-Tone phone trace trunk call unlisted utility pole videophone voice mail wire(n) wire(v) wiretapping

Date: 1800-1900
Origin: tele- + Greek phone 'sound, voice'

telephone

1 noun
     
tel‧e‧phone1 S1 W2
1

the telephone

TCT the system of communication that you use to have a conversation with someone in another place [= phone]
by telephone
Reservations can be made by telephone.
on the telephone
I've never met him, but I've spoken to him on the telephone.
over the telephone
I read the names out to him over the telephone.
down the telephone British English
He shouted at me down the telephone.
I had a long telephone conversation with her yesterday.
2 [countable]TCT the piece of equipment that you use when you are talking to someone by telephone [= phone]:
The telephone rang just as I was leaving.
She picked up the telephone and dialled a number.
I said goodbye and put down the telephone.
3

be on the telephone

a) TCT to be talking to someone, using the telephone:
I was on the telephone when he came in.
b) TCT to have a telephone in your home, office etc
➔ see usage note call1
  
Word of the Day
The TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH
Word of the Day is:
phone box

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