2the characteristic cry of a bird or other animal:it is best distinguished by its call, a loud ‘pwit’
3a brief visit:we paid a call on an elderly Spaniard
a visit or journey made in response to an emergency appeal for help:the doctor was out on a call
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with object] cry out to (someone) in order to summon them or attract their attention:she heard Terry calling her [no object]:I distinctly heard you call
cry out (a word or words):he heard an insistent voice calling his nameMeredith was already calling out a greeting
[no object] (of an animal, especially a bird) make its characteristic cry:the mother bird was calling from the twig
shout out or chant (the steps and figures) to people performing a square dance or country dance.
telephone (a person or telephone number):could I call you back?
summon (an emergency service, taxi, etc.) by telephone:if you are suspicious, call the police
bring (a witness) into court to give evidence:four expert witnesses were called
[with object and infinitive] archaic inspire or urge (someone) to do something:I am called to preach the Gospel
fix a date or time for (a meeting, strike, or election):she intends to call a meeting of the committee early next weekthere appeared to be no alternative but to call a general election
Bridge make (a particular bid) during the auction:her partner called 6♠
[no object] guess the outcome of tossing a coin:‘You call,’ he said. ‘Heads or tails?’
predict the result of (a future event, especially an election or a vote):in the Midlands the race remains too close to call
Cricket (of an umpire) no-ball (a bowler) for throwing:the umpire never called him in a first-class match, only in a festival game
Computing cause the execution of (a subroutine):one subroutine may call another subroutine (or itself)
2 [with object and complement] give (an infant or animal) a specified name:they called their daughter Hannah
(be called) have a specified name:her companion was called Ethelhe has written a book called The Secret Life of Wombats
address or refer to (someone) by a specified name, title, etc.:please call me Lucy
refer to or consider (someone or something) as being:he’s the only person I would call a friend
(of an umpire or other official in a game) pronounce (a ball, stroke, etc.) to be the thing specified:the linesman called the ball wide
3 [no object, with adverbial of place] chiefly British (of a person) pay a brief visit:I’ve got to call at the bank to get some cashhe had promised Celia he would call in at the clinic
(call for) stop to collect (someone) at the place where they are living or working:I’ll call for you around seven
(call at) (of a train or coach) stop at (a specified station or stations) on a particular route:the 8.15 service to Paddington, calling at Reading
cause one to think of someone or something, especially through similarity:the still lifes call to mind certain of Cézanne’s works
[with negative] remember someone or something: [with clause]:I cannot call to mind where I have seen you
call someone/thing to order
ask those present at a meeting to be silent so that business may proceed:Randy McGill called the large gathering to order
don't call us, we'll call you
informal used as a dismissive way of saying that someone has not been successful in an audition or job application.
good call (or bad call)
informal used to express approval (or criticism) of a person’s decision or suggestion:So you asked her to leave? Good call
[with reference to decisions made by referees or umpires]
on call
1(of a person) able to be contacted in order to provide a professional service if necessary, but not formally on duty:your local GP may be on call round the clock
2(of money lent) repayable on demand.
to call one's own
used to describe something that one can genuinely feel belongs to one:I had not an item to call my own
within call
near enough to be summoned by calling:she moved into the guest room, within call of her father’s room
call for
1make necessary:desperate times call for desperate measures
2publicly ask for or demand:the report calls for an audit of endangered species
3North American predict or describe (the likely weather conditions) for a period of time in the future:the forecast is calling for more rainthey’re calling for temperatures in the 80s for the rest of the week
call something forth
elicit a specified response:few things call forth more compassion
call someone/thing down
1cause or provoke someone or something to appear or occur:nothing called down the wrath of Nemesis quicker
2 dated reprimand someone:he called down Clarence Drum about being so high and mighty
call someone in
enlist someone’s aid or services:you can either do the work yourself or call in a local builder to help you
call something in
require payment of a loan or promise of money:the bank would call in loans and foreign donations
call someone/thing off
order a person or dog to stop attacking someone:Gunda pleaded with him to call the dog off
call something off
cancel an event or agreement:they held a ballot on whether to call off industrial action
call on
1pay a visit to (someone):he’s planning to call on Katherine today
2 (also call upon) have recourse to:we are able to call on academic staff with a wide variety of expertise
[with infinitive] demand that (someone) do something:he called on the government to hold a vote
call someone out
1summon someone to deal with an emergency or to do repairs:patients are to be told to stop calling doctors out unnecessarily at night
2order or advise workers to strike.
3 archaic challenge someone to a duel.
call something over
dated read out a list of names to determine those present:a gentleman proceeded to call over the names of the jury
call someone up
1 informal, chiefly North American telephone someone:I have a list of people to call up in the morning
2summon someone to serve in the army:they have called up more than 20,000 reservists
select someone to play in a team:he was called up for the international against Turkey
call something up
summon for use something that is stored or kept available:icons which allow you to call up a graphic
evoke something:the imaginative intensity with which he called up the Devon landscape
