telephone

Definition

  • noun: a system that uses wires and radio signals to send sounds (such as people's voices) over long distances
  • noun: an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance
  • verb: to speak or try to speak to (someone) using a telephone
  • verb: to speak to or attempt to reach by telephone

Examples

  • We've been playing 'telephone tag'—she's always out when I call, and vice versa.

  • ('Brit') He screamed at me 'down the telephone'. [=through the telephone]

  • the percentage of households 'on the telephone' [='on the phone']

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Pardon. This is my whole point. The woman across the street testified that the moment after she saw the killing, that is, a moment after the train went by, she screamed, and then went to telephone the police. Now, the boy certainly must have heard the scream. So he knew that somebody saw something. (..)
    1957 12 Angry Men
  • (..) No: No: ('Oceania, 'Tis for Thee') (crowd chant 'BB. ') (announcer) 'Innuendo' deleted. 'Intransigence' rendered as 'Crimethink'. 'Inversion'... (dials telephone) Ref "Times," //, page three. Byline two should read 'Miniprod forecast increase choco ration, April , from g to g per week.' (..)
    1984 1984
  • (..) So powerful. So beautiful. Precious? - Precious? - She's down here, you sack of shit! - Put her in that bucket. - Get me a telephone and lower it down. Poodlie-poo. Precious. - Darling heart, are you all right? - She's in a lot of pain. She needs a vet. She broke her leg on the way down. I know it. - Don't you hurt my dog! - Don't you make me hurt your dog! You don't know what pain is! - Oh, fuck! - You better be getting me that telephone! I'm gonna do it, mister! All right, mister! I'm doing it! OK, I'm coming. We're going in. Good afternoon. Sorry to bother you. (..)
    1991 The Silence of the Lambs