English > telephone: 3 senses > noun 1, artifact| Meaning | electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds. |
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| Example | "I talked to him on the telephone" |
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| Synonyms | phone, telephone set |
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| Part of | telephone system, phone system | A communication system that transmits sound between distant points |
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| Parts | mouthpiece | An acoustic device |
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| telephone receiver, receiver | earphone that converts electrical signals into sounds |
| Narrower | desk phone | A telephone set that sits on a desk or table |
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| dial telephone, dial phone | A telephone with a dial for registering the number to be called |
| extension, telephone extension, extension phone | An additional telephone set that is connected to the same telephone line |
| handset, French telephone | telephone set with the mouthpiece and earpiece mounted on a single handle |
| pay-phone, pay-station | A coin-operated telephone |
| radiotelephone, radiophone, wireless telephone | A telephone that communicates by radio waves rather than along cables |
| speakerphone | A telephone with a microphone and loudspeaker |
| Broader | electronic equipment | equipment that involves the controlled conduction of electrons (especially in a gas or vacuum or semiconductor) |
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| Spanish | teléfono |
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| Catalan | telèfon |
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| Verbs | telephone | get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone |
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English > telephone: 3 senses > verb 1, communication| Meaning | Get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone. |
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| Pattern | Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s somebody |
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| Model | Sam cannot telephone Sue; They telephone |
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| Synonyms | call, call up, phone, ring |
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| Category | telephone, telephony | transmitting speech at a distance |
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| Entails | dial | operate a dial to select a telephone number |
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| Entailed by | hang on, hold the line, hold on | hold the phone line open |
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| Narrower | call in | make a phone call |
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| cell phone | call up by using a cellular phone |
| Broader | telecommunicate | Communicate over long distances, as via the telephone or e-mail |
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| Similar to | call | send a message or attempt to reach someone by radio, phone, etc. |
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| Spanish | denominar, llamar por teléfono, llamar, telefonear, teléfono |
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| Catalan | cridar, denominar, telefonar, tocar, trucar |
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| Nouns | telephone | electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds |
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| telephone | transmitting speech at a distance |
| telephoner | the person initiating a telephone call |
