Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: Latin codex; CODEX

code

1 noun
     
code1 S2 W2
1

laws/behaviour

[countable] a set of rules, laws, or principles that tell people how to behave:
The Torah is the basis for all the Jewish laws and their moral code.
Each state in the US has a different criminal and civil code.
The judge ruled that there had been no breach of the code.
There were plans to introduce a dress code (=rules about what to wear) for civil servants.
code of conduct/behaviour/ethics
the strict code of conduct that is so much a part of karate
code of practice (=a set of rules that people in a particular business or profession agree to obey)
The Textile Services Association has drawn up a code of practice endorsed by the Office of Fair Trading.
➔ Highway Code, penal code
2

secret message

[uncountable and countable] a system of words, letters, or symbols that you use instead of ordinary writing, so that the information can only be understood by someone else who knows the system
in code
All reports must be sent in code.
break/crack a code (=manage to understand a code)
They didn't realise that we'd broken their secret code.
3

symbols giving information

[countable] a set of numbers, letters, or symbols that shows what something is or gives information about it:
Goods that you order must have a product code.
Every item found on the archaeological dig is given a code number.
 ➔ bar code, genetic code, postcode, zip code
4

telephones

also dialling code, STD code British EnglishTCT [countable] the group of numbers that comes before a telephone number when you are calling from a different area [= area code American English]
What's the code for Aberdeen?
5TD

computers

TD [uncountable and countable] a set of instructions that tell a computer what to do ➔ machine code, source code
6

sounds/signals

[countable] a system of sounds or signals that represent words or letters when they are sent by machine
Definition of code from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH

Explore TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH Topic

answer answering machine area code beeper bleep busy cable(n) cable(v) caller cell cellphone cellular phone chat line code conference call connect cradle crossed dead dial(n) dial(v) dialling code disconnect earpiece ext. extension facsimile helpline hotline line local call mayday mobile mobile phone Morse code mouthpiece number operator phone book phone booth receiver redial ring scrambler SOS switchboard telegram telegraph(n) telegraph(v) telemarketing telephone(n) telephone(v) telephone call telephone directory telephone exchange telephone number telex toll-free trace unlisted voice mail wire(n) wire(v) wiretapping

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