| Alexander Graham Bell |
U.S. inventor of the telephone (b.1847--d.1922). |
| answering machine |
a machine that records a telephone message. |
| area code |
the first three numbers of a telephone number in the United States and Canada. You dial the area code first, then the telephone number. In the phone number "607-555-1234," the area code is "607." |
| buzz |
(informal) a call on the telephone. [1/4 definitions] |
| bye1 |
a short, informal way of saying good-bye. People often say "bye" when they are leaving each other or when they are finished talking on the telephone. |
| caber |
a long wooden pole, resembling a telephone pole, that is hoisted at one end and then thrown end over end to demonstrate strength, esp. in Scottish Highland games. |
| call |
to telephone. [1/7 definitions] |
| call back |
to continue a telephone conversation with (someone) at a later time, or to return someone's telephone call. |
| call box |
a box containing a telephone, posted on a street or highway, and used to make emergency calls. [2 definitions] |
| call girl |
a female prostitute who may be hired by telephone. |
| call-in |
a telephone conversation between a listener or viewer and a radio or television host, which is broadcast on the host's show. [2 definitions] |
| calling card |
a small card with one's name and sometimes address and telephone number printed on it, used when making business and social visits. |
| call up |
(informal) to telephone (someone); make a call to. [1/2 definitions] |
| cell phone |
a telephone that operates without wires. |
| cellular phone |
a telephone that can be taken anywhere and does not use wires. A cellular phone uses radio signals that are sent out from many different points called "cells." A cellular phone gets its signals from whatever cell is closest to it at the moment. A cellular phone is often called a "cell phone." |
| check in |
to telephone or appear in person, esp. periodically, so as to obtain information or confirm one's interest or involvement. [1/2 definitions] |
| climber |
a device with sharp spikes that attaches to the shoe or leg and is used in climbing trees or telephone poles. [1/4 definitions] |
| collect |
requiring payment for a telephone call from the person who receives the call. [1/2 definitions] |
| communication |
(plural) means of sending messages, such as telephone, radio, and television. [1/3 definitions] |
| conference call |
a telephone conversation or discussion in which three or more people participate at the same time. |
| cordless phone |
a telephone that consists of a battery-operated handset that communicates across short distances via radio waves to an electrically-powered unit that must be connected to a telephone line in order to function. |