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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary tele·phone \\ˈte-lə-ˌfōn\\ noun USAGE often attributive DATE 1844 : an instrument for reproducing sounds at a distance; specifically : one in which sound is converted into electrical impulses for transmission (as by wire) verb
( -phoned ; -phon·ing)
DATE 1877 transitive verb1. to speak to or attempt to reach by telephone2. to send by telephoneintransitive verb: to communicate by telephone
• tele·phon·er noun telephone
1835, "apparatus for signaling by musical notes" (devised by Sudré in 1828), from Fr. téléphone (c.1830), from télé- "far" (see tele-) + phone "sound" (see fame). Also used of other apparatus early 19c., including "instrument similar to a foghorn for signaling from ship to ship" (1844). The electrical communication tool was first described in modern form by P.Reis (1861); developed by Bell, and so called by him from 1876. The verb is attested from 1878. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ telephonetele·phone / 5telifEun; NAmE -foun / noun1. [C, U] a system for talking to sb else over long distances, using wires or radio; a machine used for this 电话；电话机:
The telephone rang and Pat answered it. 电话铃响了,帕特接了电话。
You can reserve seats over the telephone. 你可以打电话预订座位。
I need to make a telephone call. 我得打个电话。
telephone lines / networks / services 电话线路/网络/业务2. [C] the part of the telephone that you hold in your hand and speak into (电话机的)话筒,受话器
SYN handset , receiver ⇨ see also phone n. (2) IDIOMS ▪ be on the 'telephone1. to be using the telephone 在打电话；在通电话:
He's on the telephone at the moment. 他正在打电话。
You're wanted (= sb wants to speak to you) on the telephone. 有人打电话找你。2. (BrE) to have a telephone in your home or place of work (在家里或工作单位)装有电话机的:
We're not on the telephone at the cottage. 我们的乡间别墅没有安装电话。 verb ( formal, especially BrE) to speak to sb by telephone 给某人打电话
SYN call , phone :
▪ [V]
Please write or telephone for details. 欲知详情,请来信或电话联系。
He telephoned to say he'd be late. 他来电话说要晚到一会儿。
▪ [VN]
You can telephone your order 24 hours a day. 一天 24 小时你都可以打电话订购。
I was about to telephone the police. 我正要给警察打电话。⇨ note at phone Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishtelephone
noun ADJ. pay, public | office, private The office telephones were all out of order. | cellular, cordless, mobile, portable | radio, satellite VERB + TELEPHONE use Can I use your telephone? | be on Don't pester me now?I'm on the telephone. We're not on the telephone, so you'll have to come round to the house. | answer, get (informal), pick up Hang on?I'll just get the telephone. | hang up, put down She put down the telephone and burst into tears. | leave/take off the hook I've been trying to phone him all day?he must have left his telephone off the hook. | be wanted on The waiter came to tell me I was wanted on the telephone. | call sb to He was called to the telephone just as he was leaving. | bug, tap | connect, install | disconnect TELEPHONE + VERB ring, shrill The telephone was ringing furiously. The telephone shrilled into the silence. | be off the hook TELEPHONE + NOUN number | book, directory | bill | call, message | conversation, enquiry, interview, query, survey | contact She is in telephone contact with headquarters. | helpline, hotline, support The charity has set up a 24-hour telephone helpline. | company | banking, marketing, service | charges | cord, headset, receiver | cable, exchange, line, network, switchboard, system, wire | box, kiosk | voice A good telephone voice can do much to improve the temper of irate callers. PREP. by ~ Can I get in touch by telephone? | on the ~ She sounded very distant on the telephone. | over the ~ I don't want to talk about this over the telephone. Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged tel·e·phone
I. \ˈteləˌfōn\ noun
Etymology: tel- (I) + -phone
1. : an instrument for reproducing sounds especially articulate speech at a distance: as
a. : a device in which the voice or sound causes in a thin diaphragm vibrations that are directly transmitted along a wire or string connecting it to a similar diaphragm thus reproducing the sound
b. : an apparatus consisting of a transmitter (as a microphone) for converting sound especially of the human voice into electrical impulses or varying electrical current for transmission by wire, a receiver for reproducing the original sounds from such transmitted varying electrical current, and usually a switch and a signaling device
2. : any of various devices (as a sound-signaling device or a speaking tube) resembling or suggesting the telephone
II. intransitive verb
: to communicate by telephone : call on the telephone
transitive verb
1. : to send (as a message) by telephone
2. : to speak to (a person) by telephone : call on the telephone
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