Originally: an audible signal indicating that a person is trying to contact another by telephone. Subsequently: an instance of attempting to contact…

†(a) the sound made by a ringing telephone (obsolete); (b) an instance of contacting someone by telephone; a telephone conversation.

A telephone call, a conversation on the telephone. Cf. telepheme, n. 2.

An instance of speaking on the telephone. rare.

A call on a telephone, normally signalled by a distinctive sound; also (now rare) with up. Also: (each of) a series of resonant or vibrating…

spec. The buzzing sound made by a telephone. Hence slang, a telephone call.

British colloquial. A telephone call. Usually in to give (a person) a tinkle. Cf. ring, n.2 4.

A telephone call.

Short for telephone call n. (b) at compounds 3. Cf. phone, n.2 2. Now rare (Indian English in later use).