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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old Norse |
| Origin: | kalla |
Related topics:1 to telephone someone : 
She calls her father every couple of days.I'll call you soon. What time did Tony call?
telephone
[intransitive and transitive]She calls her father every couple of days.I'll call you soon.What time did Tony call? call a doctor/the police/a cab etc (=telephone someone and ask them to come to you) I think we should call a doctor. I'm gonna call the cops!
I think we should call a doctor.I'm gonna call the cops!2 to use a word or name to describe someone or something in a particular way
describe
[transitive] call somebody something Are you calling me a liar? You may call it harmless fun, but I call it pornography.
Are you calling me a liar?You may call it harmless fun, but I call it pornography. call somebody names (=use insulting names for someone) The other kids used to call me names, but I tried to ignore them.
The other kids used to call me names, but I tried to ignore them.3 to have a particular name or title, or use a particular name or title for someone or something
have a name
[transitive] be called something Our son is called Matthew. The arrow that appears on the screen is called a cursor.
Our son is called Matthew.The arrow that appears on the screen is called a cursor. call somebody something My name's Virginia, but my friends call me Ginny. Do you want to be called Miss or Ms?
My name's Virginia, but my friends call me Ginny.Do you want to be called Miss or Ms?4 to give someone or something the name they will be known by in the future [= name American English] What are you going to call the new puppy?
give somebody/something a name
[transitive] especially British EnglishWhat are you going to call the new puppy? call somebody something They've decided to call the baby Louise.
They've decided to call the baby Louise.5 to ask or order someone to come to you
ask/order by speaking
[transitive] call somebody into/over/across etc Peter called the waitress over and ordered a large brandy. Marcie was called up to the principal's office.
Peter called the waitress over and ordered a large brandy.Marcie was called up to the principal's office.6 to arrange for something to happen at a particular time
arrange
[transitive] call a meeting/strike/election etc The Security Council has called an emergency session to discuss the crisis. According to the law, the election must be called within the next two months.
The Security Council has called an emergency session to discuss the crisis.According to the law, the election must be called within the next two months.7 to say or shout something loudly so that someone can hear you : I heard someone calling in the distance. 'I'm coming!' she called down the stairs. Sheila was just sneaking out when her mother called her.
say/shout
[intransitive and transitive]I heard someone calling in the distance.'I'm coming!' she called down the stairs.Sheila was just sneaking out when her mother called her.8 to say that you are a particular type of person, although you do nothing to show this is true : How could Julian call himself a friend and then let me down so badly?
call yourself something
How could Julian call himself a friend and then let me down so badly?9 to be in a position of authority so that you can give orders and make decisions : It was a job in which she was able to call the shots.
call the shots/tune
informalIt was a job in which she was able to call the shots.10 to decide to stop working, especially because you have done enough or you are tired : Come on, let's call it a day and go home.
call it a day
informalCome on, let's call it a day and go home.11 to make a telephone call that is paid for by the person who receives it [= reverse the charges British English]
call collect
American EnglishTCT12 to read names or numbers in a loud voice in order to get someone's attention : When I call your name, go and stand in line.
read names
[transitive] also call outWhen I call your name, go and stand in line.13 to tell someone that they must come to a law court or official committee
court
[transitive usually passive]14 to make people uncertain about whether something is right, good, or true : I feel that my competence is being called into question here.
call (something) into question
I feel that my competence is being called into question here.15 to feel strongly that you should do something : He felt called to write to all his fellow investors, warning them of the impending crisis.
be/feel called to do something
He felt called to write to all his fellow investors, warning them of the impending crisis.17 to stop at a house or other place for a short time to see someone or do something : She called round for a chat.
visit
[intransitive] also call round British EnglishShe called round for a chat.18 used to suggest a general figure rather than a more specific one, especially in order to make things simpler : 'I owe you £10.20.' 'Oh, call it £10!'
call it £10/2 hours etc
spoken'I owe you £10.20.' 'Oh, call it £10!'19 if two opponents in a game call it a draw, they agree that neither of them has won
call it a draw
➔ call it quits
at quits (2)20 use this to say that someone who owes you something does not have to give you anything more than they have already given you
call it/things even
spoken21
call (somebody's) attention to
a) to ask people to pay attention to a particular subject or problem : May I call your attention to item seven on the agenda.
May I call your attention to item seven on the agenda.b) to make someone notice someone or something : I wanted to shout out to Ken, but I didn't want to call attention to myself.
I wanted to shout out to Ken, but I didn't want to call attention to myself.22
call something to mind
a) to remind you of something : Don't those two call to mind the days when we were courting?
Don't those two call to mind the days when we were courting?b) to remember something : I couldn't call to mind where I'd seen him before.
I couldn't call to mind where I'd seen him before.25 if a train, ship, bus etc calls at a place, it stops there for a short time [= stop]: This train calls at all stations to Broxbourne.
trains/ships
[intransitive]TTTThis train calls at all stations to Broxbourne.26 to guess which side of a coin will land upwards when it is thrown in the air, in order to decide who will play first in a game : It's your turn to call.
coin
[intransitive and transitive]DSIt's your turn to call.27 to risk the same amount of money as the player who plays before you in a poker game
card game
[intransitive and transitive] ➔ so-called
; ➔ call somebody's bluff
at bluff2 (2)➔ too close to call
at close2 (8)call back
phrasal verb1 to telephone someone again, for example because they were not at home when you telephoned last time : I'll call back later. Can you ask John to call me back when he gets in?
call (somebody) back
I'll call back later.Can you ask John to call me back when he gets in?2 British English to return to a place you went to earlier : You could call back to collect her at noon.
You could call back to collect her at noon.call by
phrasal verbI thought I'd call by and see how you were.call down something
phrasal verb formal to ask for someone, especially a god, to make something unpleasant happen to someone or something
call for somebody/something
phrasal verb1 if a group of people calls for something, they ask publicly for something to be done : Human Rights groups are calling for the release of political prisoners.
Human Rights groups are calling for the release of political prisoners.2 to need or deserve a particular type of behaviour or treatment : Dealing with children who are so damaged calls for immense tact and sensitivity.
Dealing with children who are so damaged calls for immense tact and sensitivity.3 British English to meet someone at their home in order to take them somewhere : I'll call for you at 8 o'clock.
I'll call for you at 8 o'clock.4 American English to say that a particular kind of weather is likely to happen [= predict]: The forecast calls for more rain.
The forecast calls for more rain.call something ↔ forth
phrasal verb formal to produce a particular reaction : Great works of classical music can often call forth a mixture of responses from the listener.
Great works of classical music can often call forth a mixture of responses from the listener.call in
phrasal verb1 to ask someone to come and help you with a difficult situation : The government then called in troops to deal with the disturbances.
call somebody/something ↔ in
The government then called in troops to deal with the disturbances.2 to telephone somewhere, especially the place where you work, to tell them where you are, what you are doing etc :
3 to telephone a radio or television show to give your opinion or to ask a question : Over 2000 viewers called in with complaints about the bad language used in the programme.
Over 2000 viewers called in with complaints about the bad language used in the programme.4 to officially tell someone to pay back money you lent them : The bank can call in the loan at any time.
call in a loan/debt
The bank can call in the loan at any time.5 British English to visit a person or place while you are on your way to somewhere else
call somebody/something ↔ off
phrasal verb1 to decide that a planned event will not take place [= cancel]: The trip to Italy might be called off.
The trip to Italy might be called off.2 to officially decide that something should be stopped after it has already started : Rescuers had to call off the search because of worsening weather conditions.
Rescuers had to call off the search because of worsening weather conditions.3 to order an animal or person to stop attacking or threatening someone : Call your dog off.
Call your dog off.call on/upon somebody/something
phrasal verb1 to formally ask someone to do something
2 to visit someone for a short time : Why don't you call on my sister when you're in Brighton?
Why don't you call on my sister when you're in Brighton?call out
phrasal verb1 to say something loudly
2 to ask or order a person or an organization to help, especially in a difficult or dangerous situation : The army was called out to help fight fires.
call somebody ↔ out
The army was called out to help fight fires.3 to order workers to go on strike : The transport workers were called out.
call somebody/something ↔ out
British EnglishThe transport workers were called out.call up
phrasal verb1 informal especially American English to telephone someone I'm going to call up and cancel my subscription.
I'm going to call up and cancel my subscription.2TDTD if you call up information on a computer, you make the computer show it to you : I called up their website, but it didn't have the information I was looking for.
call something ↔ up
I called up their website, but it didn't have the information I was looking for.3PM to officially order someone to join the army, navy, or air force [= draft American English] I was called up three months after war broke out.
call somebody ↔ up
British EnglishI was called up three months after war broke out.4DS to choose someone for a national sports team [↪ call-up]: Hurst was called up for the game against Mexico.
call somebody ↔ up
Hurst was called up for the game against Mexico.5 to produce something or make it appear : She can call up the spirits of the dead.
call something ↔ up
She can call up the spirits of the dead.WORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE:
call, phone, telephone, ring In spoken English, it is usual to say that you call or phone someone • He calls me almost every day. • Phone me when you get there. In spoken British English, it is also very usual to say that you ring someone • Have you rung Kim yet? It is fairly formal and not very usual in spoken English to say that you telephone someone.!! Do not say that you 'call to' someone • I called him (NOT called to him) to let him know.!! There is no verb 'phone call' • I need to call (NOT to phone call) Monica. You can also say that you give someone a (phone) call or, in British English, give them a ring • Give me a call sometime. • I think I'll give Mum a ring.!! Do not say 'give someone a phone'.
WORD CHOICE: call, phone, telephone, ring In spoken English, it is usual to say that you call or phone someone • He calls me almost every day. • Phone me when you get there. In spoken British English, it is also very usual to say that you ring someone • Have you rung Kim yet? It is fairly formal and not very usual in spoken English to say that you telephone someone.!! Do not say that you 'call to' someone • I called him (NOT called to him) to let him know.!! There is no verb 'phone call' • I need to call (NOT to phone call) Monica. You can also say that you give someone a (phone) call or, in British English, give them a ring • Give me a call sometime. • I think I'll give Mum a ring.!! Do not say 'give someone a phone'.
