telephone

[tel-uh-fohn] /ˈtɛl əˌfoʊn/
noun
1.
an apparatus, system, or process for transmission of sound or speech to a distant point, especially by an electric device.
verb (used with object), telephoned, telephoning.
2.
to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
3.
to send (a message) by telephone.
verb (used without object), telephoned, telephoning.
4.
to send a message by telephone.
Also, phone.
Origin
1825-35; tele-1 + -phone
Related forms
telephoner, noun
pretelephone, adjective
retelephone, verb, retelephoned, retelephoning.
Examples from the web for telephone
  • The country's telephone service, however, is another matter.
  • For telephone companies, the shift to mobility has changed the composition of their revenues.
  • Please include name, address, and daytime telephone.
  • telephone receivers at listening stations offer recorded narration about the exhibits.
  • First of two articles on the changing telephone business.
  • They will also have to make sure that public goods delivered via the old telephone network continue to be provided.
  • Guy texting walks right into a telephone poll and knocks himself cold.
  • They chased bad guys, but they also had a telephone and a phonograph.
  • The copper telephone line that ran to every house was regulated as a common carrier.
  • We could talk to friends and families with a telephone and get stock prices by calling a broker before e-mail was invented.
British Dictionary definitions for telephone

telephone

/ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊn/
noun
1.
  1. Also called telephone set. an electrical device for transmitting speech, consisting of a microphone and receiver mounted on a handset
  2. (as modifier): a telephone receiver
2.
  1. a worldwide system of communications using telephones. The microphone in one telephone converts sound waves into electrical signals that are transmitted along a telephone wire or by radio to one or more distant sets, the receivers of which reconvert the incoming signal into the original sound
  2. (as modifier): a telephone exchange, a telephone call
3.
See telephone box
verb
4.
to call or talk to (a person) by telephone
5.
to transmit (a recorded message, radio or television programme, or other information) by telephone, using special transmitting and receiving equipment
Often shortened to phone
Derived Forms
telephoner, noun
telephonic (ˌtɛlɪˈfɒnɪk) adjective
telephonically, adverb
Word Origin and History for telephone
n.

1835, "apparatus for signaling by musical notes" (devised by Sudré in 1828), from French téléphone (c.1830), from télé- "far" (see tele-) + phone "sound" (see fame (n.)). 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.

v.

1878, from telephone (n.). Related: Telephoned; telephoning.

Encyclopedia Article for telephone

instrument designed for simultaneous two-way voice communication and the technological system through which it is employed. It is a central part of modern telecommunication.

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