Call v.

Forms: (1 ceallian), 3 callen, 3–6 calle, (4 cale, kal, kel), 4–5 kall, 4–7 cal, 5 callyn, 6 caal, (caul(e), 4– call. Also (Sc.) 7–9 caw, 8–9 ca’. [OE. shows a single instance of ceallian: but ME. callen, kallen, was originally northern, and evidently a. ON. kalla to call, cry, shout, to summon in a loud voice, to name, call by a name, also to assert, claim (Sw. kalla, Da. kalde). A common Teut. vb.: in MDu. callen, Du. kallen to talk, chatter, prattle, MLG. kallen, OHG. challôn, MHG. kallin to talk much and loud, to chatter:—OTeut. *kallôjan, cogn. with gol- in Slav. gólos voice, sound, and perhaps with Aryan root gar- to chatter.

  The connection of meaning in Branch III seems far-fetched, but there appears to be no doubt of its identity.]

  I.  To shout, utter loudly, cry out, summon.

  * intr.

  1.  To utter one’s voice loudly, forcibly, and distinctly, so as to be heard at a distance; to shout, cry: often emphasized by out, to cry out. Const. to, after (a person whose attention it is desired to engage). One may also call across a river, up a shaft, down stairs, into a passage, etc. See also senses 21–23. (Not in Johnson.)

a. 1000.  Byrhtnoth (Gr.), 91. Ongan ceallian ofer cald wæter Byrhthelmes bearn.

a. 1225.  St. Marher., 3. Ha bigon to cleopien ant callen þus to criste.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5720. Sua lang þai cald, drightin þam herd. Ibid., 7341. Þan bigan þai cal and cri þat godd o þam suld ha merci.

1393.  Gower, Conf., I. 148. Upon her knees she gan down falle … and to him calle.

1513.  Bradshaw, St. Werburgh (1848), 105. Callynge to her, in the name of Jhesu.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., Induct. ii. 91. Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. Ibid. (1604), Oth., I. i. 74. Heere is her Fathers house, Ile call aloud.

1667.  Dryden & Dk. Newcastle, Sir M. Mart. Mar-all, II. i. (1668), 14 Do you hear, my Aunt calls?

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 44, ¶ 6. The Mother is heard calling out to her Son for Mercy.

1714.  Ellwood, Autobiog. (1765), 93. He calling earnestly after me.

1788.  Dibdin, in Mus. Tour, xxxvi. 143, note. He called to one of the sailors to tell him what it was.

1848.  S. Bamford, Early Days, vi. (1859), 63. I thereupon called as loudly as I could.

1864.  Tennyson, Enoch Arden, 837. He call’d aloud for Miriam Lane.

  b.  Said of animals, chiefly birds, making certain cries or notes; of bees before swarming.

1486.  Bk. St. Albans, A ij. In the tyme of their loue they call and not kauke.

1552.  Huloet, Call lyke a partryche.

1609.  C. Butler, Fem. Mon., V. (1623), L iij. After the second swarme, I have heard a young Ladie-Bee call.

1674.  N. Cox, Gentl. Recreat., I. (1706), 73. Being almost spent, it is painful for them [the hounds] to call.

1704.  Worlidge, Dict. Rust. et Urb., s.v. Bees, In the Morning before they Swarm, they approach near the Stool, where they call somewhat longer.

1825.  W. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 289. The poor partridges … were calling all around us.

1847.  Longf., Ev., I. v. 2. Cheerily called the cock to the sleeping maids of the farmhouse.

1851.  Tennyson, To Queen, 14. While … thro’ wild March the throstle calls.

  c.  Said of sounding a summons with a trumpet.

1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 277. Hector … will to morrow with his Trumpet call, To rowze a Grecian.

  d.  fig. Said of inanimate things.

1611.  Bible, Ps. xlii. 7. Deepe calleth vnto deepe at the noyse of thy water-spouts: all thy waues, and thy billowes are gone ouer me.

1842.  Tennyson, Sea-fairies, 9. Day and night to the billow the fountain calls.

  e.  Cards. To make a demand (for a card, for one’s opponents to show their hands, etc.): as a. in Long Whist, at a certain point in the game, to call upon one’s partner to produce an honour if he has one, in which case the game is won; to call (for trumps): see 22 d. b. in Poker, to call upon one’s opponents to show their hands. c. in Quadrille, to ‘call a king,’ i.e., demand and take into one’s own hand a king from one’s partner’s hand.

1680.  Cotton, Compl. Gamester, in Singer, Hist. Cards, 338. If he forgets to call after playing a trick, he loseth the advantage of can-ye for that deal.

1709.  Brit. Apollo, II. No. 36. 2/1. If either A. or B. have Honours they are at liberty to Call.

1820.  Hoyle’s Games Impr., 44. (heading) Of calling honours. Ibid., 80. If both sides are eight, and no one calls, each player must possess an honour. Ibid., 93. (Quadrille) Call to your strongest suit except you have a queen guarded.

1883.  Longm. Mag., Sept., 499. (Poker) When the bet goes round to the last player … and he does not wish to go better, he may simply ‘see it’ and ‘call.’

  2.  To call at a door: orig. to call aloud there so as to make known one’s presence and business to those within; hence, to knock or ring, and speak or make a communication to one who answers the door; whence, to call at a house, to go to the door, or enter, for the purpose of some communication—the extended notion of entering was at first expressed by to call in, still in familiar use = ‘look in’ in passing, or incidentally; to call on (a person): to pay him a short business, ceremonial or complimentary visit; and absol. to call = make or ‘pay’ a call.

[a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10096. Mi saul es cummen, leuedi, þe to And calles at þi yatt ‘vndo!’

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. v. 9. Go, knock and call.] Ibid. (1593), Rich. II., II. ii. 94. To day I came by, and call’d there. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, III. iii. 44. You are to call at all the Alehouses. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., IV. v. 6. Goe call at Flauia’s house, And tell him where I stay.

1711.  Budgell, Spect., No. 150, ¶ 9. I happened the other Day to call in at a celebrated Coffee-house near the Temple.

1787.  Cowper, Lett., 18 Jan. A young gentleman called here yesterday who came six miles out of his way to see me.

1831.  Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), I. 366. If she is obliged to call again.

1834.  Macready, Remin., I. 420. Called at the Literary Fund office, and saw … the secretary.

1881.  Mrs. Riddell, A. Spenceley, II. iii. 65. She thought of calling in Banner Square.

Mod.  Call in some time during the day. Have many visitors called to-day?

  b.  To call at (a place): to stop for a short time in passing, in order to speak or communicate in some way with people there: said e.g., of a carrier who ‘calls’ at a house or place to deliver or receive a parcel, and has his regular ‘houses of call’; also of a vehicle, railway train, ship, steamer, which ‘calls’ or ‘touches’ at places on its way.

  Merely ‘to make a short stop or stay at a place’ is not to call: purpose of speaking, dealing, visiting, or other communication … is of the essence of the notion.

1670.  Cotton, Espernon, II. VIII. 378. His Majesty continuing his way through Guienne, took occasion to call at Blaye.

1727.  Swift, Gulliver, II. viii. 174. The captain called in at one or two ports.

1752.  Beawes, Lex Mercat. Rediv., 267. Where the Vessel was to have Liberty to call, in her Way down, for a Pilot.

1799.  Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), III. 147. Captain Blackwood … calls at Minorca in his way down. Ibid., 352. Direct the Ships to call off here, but not to anchor.

Railw. Time Table. Trains call at this station when required.

  ** trans.

  3.  To utter (anything) in a loud voice; to read over (a list of names) in a loud voice; to proclaim, announce, give out, make proclamation of. Often with out. Also absol.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., C. 411. He callez A prayer to þe hyȝe prynce, for pyne, on þys wyse.

c. 1720.  Gay, Pastoral, vi. 50, in Poems (1745), I. 119 (J.).

1768.  Tucker, Lt. Nat., II. 530. How … should it come into his head that calling a psalm was more holy employment than sawing a board?

1855.  Thackeray, Newcomes, II. xlii. 445. ‘Adsum’!… the word we used at school when names were called.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 489. His duties were to call the odds when the Court played at hazard.

1886.  Manch. Exam., 14 Jan., 4/7. Sir Erskine May called out the names of members in the order in which they were to … take the oath.

  b.  To announce or proclaim authoritatively; to decree.

1647.  in Sc. Pasquils (1868), 152. Might make the Pope a jubilee call.

1859.  Sala, Tw. round Clock, 367. The newly made barristers ‘call’ carouse in Lincoln’s Inn Hall.

1876.  Trevelyan, Macaulay, I. iii. 124. Macaulay was the more formidable as an opponent because he could be angry without losing his command of the situation…. In the fiercest excitement of the mêlée he knew when to call a halt.

Mod.  Here the captain called a halt. We had better call a halt for a minute.

  4.  To summon with a shout, or by a call; hence to summon, cite; to command or request the attendance of, bid (any one) come; formerly also, to ask, invite, ‘bid’ formally or authoritatively. Also absol.; and with adverbial extension, as away, back, home, in, out, into a place, to a duty.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3712. Sithen his sun he cald him till. Ibid., 19793. Þai þat war oute, in did he calle.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. III. 3. The kyng called a clerke … To take mede þe mayde.

c. 1500.  Blowbol’s Test., in Halliwell, Nugæ Poeticæ, 3.

1535.  Coverdale, Mark xv. 16. The soudyers … called the whole multitude together.

1549.  Latimer, Serm. bef. Edw. VI., ii. (Arb.), 57. They were not called to the feast.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. iii. 61. Come away man, I was sent to call thee.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 264, ¶ 1. The Bell which calls to Prayers twice a Day.

1712.  Tickell, Ibid. No. 410, ¶ 1. Sir Roger’s Servant was gone to call a Coach.

1830.  Tennyson, ‘All things will die,’ 20. We are called—we must go. Ibid. (1847), Princess, II. 447. The chapel bells Call’d us.

1831.  Macaulay, in Life & Lett., I. (1880), 209. I called a cabriolet, and the first thing the driver asked was, ‘Is the Bill carried?’

1882.  J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 11. Southampton was called before the Council.

Mod.  At the end of the play the chief actors were called before the house.

  b.  fig.

a. 1340.  Cursor M., 19594. To call men vnto amendment.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 13 b. Somtyme he taketh chyldren … & calleth them to his glory.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 92. The torturing houre Calls us to Penance.

1678.  R. L’Estrange, Seneca’s Mor. (1702), 41. Whensoever my Duty calls me, ’tis my part to attend, without Scrupulizing upon Forms, or Difficulties.

1819.  Crabbe, T. of Hall, II. Wks. 1834, VI. 43.

1866.  B. Taylor, My Mission, Poems 256. Where the fairest blossoms call.

  c.  To rouse from sleep, summon to get up.

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., II. ii. 7. If thou canst awake by foure o’ th’ clock, I prythee call me.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 132, ¶ 1. The next Morning at Day-break we were all called.

1832.  Tennyson, May Queen, 1. You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear.

1858.  Merc. Mar. Mag., V. 306–7. The Captain turned in at 10; was called at 12.

  † d.  To invoke, appeal to. Cf. also Call to witness, 20 c. Obs.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3237. Qvað god, ‘quor-at calles ðu me?’

c. 1500.  Melusine (1888), 1. In the begynnyng of all werkes, men oughten first of alle to calle the name of the Creatour.

  † e.  Sometimes with the force of the modern ‘call on,’ 23 g. Obs.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. ii. 56. Wee’l call thee at the Cubiculo. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., IV. iv. 18. Ile call you at your house.

  f.  With the force of ‘call for’; now techn., as to call a case in court, call the trial.

c. 1250.  Bestiary, 651. He remeð and helpe calleð.

1699.  Bentley, Phal., xi. 236. The Trial must be call’d over again.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 480. One that once had call’d Lucina’s Aid.

1731.  Swift, Death Swift. I wish I knew what King to call.

1747.  Hoyle, Whist (ed. 7), 10. No new Deal is to be call’d.

Mod.  The judge ordered the next case to be called.

  g.  To attract animals by a particular ‘call,’ e.g., as in moose-calling.

  h.  With a thing as obj.: Chiefly with adverbs (senses 24–35); or in phrases, as to call attention (17 a), call to mind (20 b), etc.

1761.  Frances Sheridan, Sidney Bidulph (ed. 2), III. 160. But let us call another subject.—When did you hear from Mr. Faulkland?

  i.  To call a bond: to give notice that the amount of a bond will be paid.

  k.  Sc. = Call upon, call at, visit, go through.

1837.  R. Nicoll, Poems (1843), 72.

Mod. Sc.  ‘I’ll caw the haill town for’t, or I want it.’

  l.  In various phrases: see 17–20.

  5.  To convoke, convene, summon (a meeting or assembly). See Call together, 34.

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 1460. Þemperour calde his cunseil for to knowe here wille.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1860. And Brutus … let the peple calle, And openly the tale he tolde hem alle.

1503–4.  Act 19 Hen. VII., xxviii. Preamb., His Highnes is not mynded … to calle & somone a newe parliament.

1611.  Bible, Joel i. 14. Call a solemne assembly.

1618.  Bolton, Florus (1636), 259. Cicero the Consull, calling a Senate made an Oration against the hainous Traytor to his face.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 252. It might be necessary to call a parliament.

1885.  Act 48 Vict., xvi. § 12. The notice calling the meeting.

  6.  To nominate by a personal ‘call’ or summons (to special service or office); esp. by Divine authority: ‘to inspire with ardours of piety; or to summon into the church’ (J.).

c. 1300.  Harrow. Hell, 184. Loverd Christ, icham That thou calledest Habraham.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Cor. i. 1. Paul, called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Ibid., Rom. viii. 30. Whom he hath called, them hath he also made righteous.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. i. 29. What, is my Lord of Winchester … call’d vnto a Cardinalls degree? Ibid. (1606), Ant. & Cl., II. vii. 16. To be call’d into a huge Sphere.

1611.  Bible, Acts xiii. 2. Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the worke whereunto I haue called them.

1680.  Mem. J. Fraser, ix. in Sel. Biogr. (1847), II. 302. I was indeed called by the Lord to the exercise of the Ministry.

  b.  To invite in due form to the pastorate of a church (Presbyterian or Nonconformist).

1560.  1st Bk. Discipline, iv. In a church reformed … none ought to presume either to preach, either yet to minister the sacraments, till that orderly they be called to the same.

1703.  Kirkton, Hist. J. Welsh, in Sel. Biogr. (1845), I. 33. [He] was speedily called to the ministry first in one village then in another.

1841.  McCrie, Sk. Ch. Hist., I. 137. The Church to which he was afterwards called.

1862.  Macfarlane, Life Dr. Lawson, 53. In due time he was unanimously called to be Mr. Moir’s successor.

  c.  ellipt. for Call to the bar, 20 a.

1836–7.  Dickens, Sk. Boz (1850), 218/1. A barrister?—he said he was not called. Ibid. (1865), Mut. Fr., iii. ‘And I,’ said Eugene, ‘have been “called” seven years, and have had no business at all, and never shall have any.’

  7.  To ask with authority, bid, command, enjoin, call upon (a person) to do (something). Now esp. said of the call of God, or of duty.

[a. 1300.  Cursor M., p. 962. 23 (Cott. MS.). Þai … calden a blynd knight To wirk after þer lore.]

1580.  Baret, Alv., C 21. They began to cal Hortensius to pleade in good matters.

1678.  Wanley, Wond. Lit. World, VI. xxix. § 5. 616/1. Some were therefore called to open the Basilick vein.

1756.  Wesley, Wks. (1872), XIII. 200. I am called to preach the Gospel both by God and man.

1769.  Robertson, Chas. V., V. 536, note. The subject … does not call me to write a history of the progress of society.

1853.  Maurice, Proph. & Kings, v. 80. The king believes that he is called to build a temple.

1882.  R. W. Dale, in Gd. Words, April, 263. One may be specially ‘called’ to shelter the homeless.

  b.  Amer. Land Law. To require (objects, courses, distances, etc.) to answer to a description in a survey or grant of land (Webster).

  † 8.  To challenge; to impeach, accuse of. Obs.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur (1816), II. 456. Now ye be called upon treason, it is time for you to stir.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, 566. Telle me, constans, false traytour, why dyde ye calle my fader of treyson.

  9.  Hawking. (See quot.)

1483.  Cath. Angl., 52. To calle a hawke, stupare.

1500–32.  Ortus Voc., ibid. 52. Stupo: to call a hawke with meat.

  10.  Cards. To call honours, call a king, call for trumps: see 1 e, 22 d.

  II.  To name, give a name or designation to.

  11.  trans. To give as name or title to; to name. With complemental object; also to call by the name of; to call one’s name so-and-so (arch. and dial.).

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3686. Ðat stede beð cald ðor-for cabroth.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11930. A haliday, Þat þai calld sabat in þar lay.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 42. Ane erle in þe North, Uctred men kalde.

c. 1400.  Maundev., Prol. 1. The Holy Lond, that men callen the Lond of Promyssioun.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 5204. The same yle … Cicill is calt.

1535.  Coverdale, Matt. i. 25. He … called his name Iesus. Ibid., Isa. xlviii. 1. O thou house of Iacob: ye y^t are called by the name of Israel.

1562.  Latimer, Serm. in Lincoln, i. 66. A certaine secte which were cauled Flagellarii.

1611.  Bible, Gen. i. 5. God called the light, Day, and the darknesse he called Night.

1733.  Berkeley, Th. Vision, § 16. Wks. 1871, I. 379. To call things by their right names.

1842.  Prichard, Nat. Hist. Man, 206. The people whom the Russians call Tschudes.

  b.  To style, designate, term, address as, speak of as; to reckon, consider.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 25143 (Cott. G.). Þar calles him fader ful fele Þat er noght to him suns lele. Ibid., 2426 (Trin.). Why mades þou vs in were to calle þi wir þi sister dere. Ibid., 27541 (Fairf.). Synnis … Þat clerkis callin veniale.

1481.  Caxton, Tulle of Old Age. The poet Ennius callyd hym his swete hony.

1551.  Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., I. xxvii. That quadrate is called properly to be drawen in a circle, when all his fower angles doeth touche the edge of the circle.

1581.  Confer., II. (1583), I, marg. The Papistes call iustice for treason, persecution for religion.

1611.  Bible, Malachi iii. 15. Now we call the proud happy.

a. 1631.  Donne, Paradoxes (1652), 2. You can cal it pleasure to be beguil’d in troubles.

1720.  De Foe, Capt. Singleton, i. (1840), 1. The woman, whom I was taught to call mother.

1736.  Butler, Anal., I. 17. That living Agent each Man calls himself.

1795.  Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 29. Her parents mock at her and call her crazed.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), II. 426. Would you not call a man able who could do that?

  12.  To apply abusive names to; to abuse, vilify. Now dial. Cf. to call (one) names, 17 c.

1633.  Ford, ’Tis Pity, III. vi. I fear this friar’s falsehood; I will call him.

1701.  Swift, Mrs. Harris’ Petit., Wks. 1755, III. II. 61. As though I had call’d her all to naught.

1825.  Brockett, N. Country Gloss., 37. Call, to abuse. They called one another!

1860.  Dial. Batley, s.v., In the unsophisticated Yorkshire dialect … to call is to put forth torrents of abuse.

1874.  Crowle Adv., 19 Dec. No child in the Band of the Cross must use bad language or call any one.

  III.  To drive. Sc.

  13.  trans. To urge forward, drive (an animal or a vehicle). Perh. originally ‘to drive with shouts’; but no trace of this is known since the 14th c., and the sense is not in ON.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, X. 223. Than Burmok … callit his wayn toward the peill.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, IX. 718. Thir cartaris … callyt furth the cartis weill.

a. 1600.  Montgomerie, Flyting, 73. Many ȝeald ȝow hast thou cald ouer a know.

1785.  Burns, Cotter’s Sat. Nt., iv. Some ca’ the pleugh. Ibid. (1794) (title), Ca’ the yowes to the knowes.

1832–53.  Whistle-binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. III. 29. My father wad lead wi’ a bairn, But wadna be ca’d for the deil’.

  b.  To drive in the chase, to hunt.

1768.  Ross, Helenore, 122 (Jam.). We never thought it wrang to ca a prey.

  c.  To make to go; to turn, drive.

1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 167. If that her tippony chance to be sma’ We’ll tak a good scour o’t and ca’t awa.

a. 1776.  in Herd, Sc. Songs, II. 19. We ca’d the bicker aft about.

1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, xxvi. Even if he were a puir ca’-the-shuttle-body [i.e., weaver].

1863.  J. Nicholson, The Burnie. Ca’ aboot the mill wheel. [So to ca’ ower, to knock over.]

  d.  fig. as in Call clashes: ‘to spread malicious or injurious reports’ (Jam.). Call the crack: to keep the conversation going. Call one’s way: to pursue one’s way, move on.

1768.  Ross, Helenore, 76 (Jam.). Ca’ your wa’, The door’s wide open.

1785.  Burns, Ep. Lapraik, ii. On fasten-een we had a rockin, To ca’ the crack and weave our stockin.

1858.  M. Porteous, Real Souter Johnny, 13. While Souter Johnnie ca’d the crack.

  14.  To drive (a nail); also, to fix, fasten or join by hammering; to forge, weld. Also ca’ on.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VIII. vii. 174. In every place sevin ply thai well and call.

1676.  W. Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., xii. (1848), 504. Cawed in the boots by the hangman.

1768.  Ross, Helenore, 84 (Jam.). But to the head the nail ye mauna ca.

1789.  Burns, Kirk’s Alarm. He has cooper’d and cawt a wrong pin in’t.

  15.  absol. To drive (a horse, cart, etc.). To ca’ canny, to drive gently and carefully, also fig. Also to drive (a weapon) at, let fly at.

a. 1500.  Sir Egeir, 45 (Jam.). His spear before him could he fang … And called right fast at Sir Gray Steel … And Gray Steel called at Sir Grahame.

1823.  Galt, Entail, I. xxvii. 239. But … ca’ canny.

Mod.  Will you come and ca’? [i.e., drive a skipping-rope].

  16.  intr. (for refl.) To drive, be driven.

1717.  Wodrow, Corr. (1843), II. 246. I regret your want of health, and fear you may be calling off from an ill time to the joy of your Lord.

1768.  Ross, Helenore, 70 (Jam.). I mounts, and with them aft what we could ca’.

1794.  Burns, Young Jockey, 12. When Jockey’s owsen hameward ca’.

a. 1803.  in Scott, Minstr. Sc. Bord., I. 199 (Jam.). There will never a nail ca’ right for me.

  IV.  Phrases and Combinations.

  * Phrases.

  17.  a. To call attention to: to direct or invite (a person’s) notice to; to point out, show. (Cf. 4 g.)

1827.  P. Cunningham, Two Yrs. in N. S. Wales, I. 204. To call their attention to the procuring of this valuable medicine.

1835.  Marryat, Jac. Faithf., xxvii. To which I shall soon have to call the attention of the House.

1885.  Sir E. Fry, in Law Rep., XXIX. Chanc. 484. It is not necessary to call attention to the evidence.

Mod.  Attention was called to the state of the Thames.

  b.  To call cousins: to address each other as ‘Cousin’; to claim cousinship or kinship with. So formerly to call brothers or sisters. (Cf. 11.)

c. 1603.  Marston, Insat. Countesse, Wks. 1856, III. 112. We two, that any time these fourteene yeeres have called sisters.

c. 1623.  Middleton, Any Thing for Quiet Life, Wks. (Dyce), IV. 443. So near I am to him, we must call cousins.

1751.  H. Walpole, Corr. (1837), I. 156. Pray do you call cousins.

1808.  Scott, Autobiog., in Lockhart (1839), 6. My father used to call cousin, as they say, with the Campbells of Blythswood.

  c.  To call names: to apply opprobrious names or epithets to (a person). (Cf. 12.)

[1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., I. iii. 236. That thou hadst call’d me all these bitter names.]

1697.  Dampier, Voy. (1698), 117. They … content themselves with standing aloof, threatning and calling names.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 274, ¶ 1. Calling Names does no Good.

1854.  H. Miller, Sch. & Schm., xxii. (1860), 233/2. He replied to my jokes by calling names.

1884.  Times (weekly ed.), 5 Sept., 3/1. They were not in the habit of calling one another names.

  d.  To call (a thing) one’s own: to claim or regard as one’s own. (Cf. 11 b.)

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. ii. 454. My robe, And my integrity to Heaven, is all I dare now call my own.

1762.  Gibbon, Jrnl., in C. Morison, Life, 37. I had hardly a moment I could call my own.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, iii. She daren’t call her soul her own.

1852.  Hughes, Tom Brown, I. v. The first place that he could call his own.

  18.  To call in question: to summon for trial or examination; to impeach; to challenge, impugn, dispute, cast doubt upon; formerly, also, to examine, make inquisition into; so † To call in doubt. (Cf. 4.)

1579.  Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 119. That … I should call in question the demeanour of all.

1587.  Harrison, England, I. II. v. (1877), 130. This is alas too open and manifest … and yet not called into question.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., V. i. 6. Neither call the giddinesse of it in question. Ibid. (1601), Jul. C., IV. iii. 165. Now sit we close about this Taper heere, And call in question our necessities.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 43. Let me not rashly call in doubt Divine prediction.

1831.  Brewster, Newton (1855), I. xiii. 371. This opinion … has only recently been called in question.

1844.  Thackeray, B. Lyndon, xix. For calling the honour of his mother in question.

  19.  To call into being, existence: to give life to, make, create. Call into play: to bring into action.

1754.  Sherlock, Disc. (1759), I. ii. 76. To call Men from the Grave into being.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. x. 508. It was no small work to call into being that mighty abbey.

1873.  Max Müller, Sc. Relig., 29. By which a canon of sacred books is called into existence.

1874.  Blackie, Self-Cult., 45. An art which calls into play all the powers that belong to a prompt and vigorous manhood.

  20.  a. To call to account: to summon (one) to render an account, or to answer for conduct; hence, to reprove, rebuke: cf. ACCOUNT sb. 7, 8. Call to arms: to summon to prepare for battle or war. Call to the bar: to admit as a barrister; see BAR sb.¹ 24. Call to (one’s) feet, legs: to bid one stand up; spec. to bid one in a company rise and speak, propose a toast, sing, etc. (Cf. 4, 6.)

a. 1618.  Raleigh, Rem. (1664), D j a. Call your observation to accompt and you shall find it as I say.

1659.  Pearson, Creed (1839), 13. They who heard St. Peter call a lame man unto his legs.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 89, ¶ 1. He was called to the Bar.

1833.  Ht. Martineau, Manch. Strike, v. 61. This ‘mob’ declared their intention of calling Wentworth to account.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 193. Even Royalists exclaimed that the state could be saved only by calling the old soldiers of the Commonwealth to arms.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 139. He who transgresses them is to be corrected, or, in other words, called to account.

  b.  To call to memory, mind, remembrance: to recollect, recall, cause to be remembered; also with back: cf. 26 d. (Cf. 4.)

1472.  Paston Lett., 700, III. 51. Preying yow to call to your mynd.

1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 1. I cannot call your name to remembrance.

1611.  Bible, Mark xiv. 72. Peter called to minde the word that Iesus said vnto him, Before the cocke crow twise, thou shalt denie me thrise.

1701.  Earl Clarendon, in Pepys’ Diary, VI. 207. Whose name I cannot call to mind.

1835.  Marryat, Jac. Faithf., xxiv. Calling to mind what had occurred.

1871.  R. H. Hutton, Ess. (1877), I. 3. It is necessary to call to mind … a strangely-forgotten truth.

  c.  To call to witness, record, surety: to summon or appeal to (one) to bear witness, etc. (Cf. 4 d.)

1535.  Coverdale, Deut. iv. 26. I call heauen and earth to recorde [1611 to witnesse] ouer you this daie.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 108. She call’d the Saints to suretie, That she would neuer put it from her finger.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 504. They were all ready to call God to witness that they renounced all spiritual connection with foreign prelates and potentates.

1859.  Tennyson, Elaine, 1291. To this I call my friends in testimony.

  ** With prepositions.

  Formed on the intrans. senses 1 and 2; the combination, however, has often the force of a transitive verb, and takes an indirect passive, as ‘a light was called for,’ ‘we are not called upon to act.’

  21.  Call after. See 1. † Also, To ask for, demand, summon (obs.).

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 17842. Anoon þei calde aftir parchemyne.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. III. 100. The kynge called after Mede.

  22.  Call for. a. To ask loudly or authoritatively for; to order; fig. to claim, require, demand.

1535.  Coverdale, Ezek. xxxvi. 29. I wil call for the corne, and wil increase it.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., III. ii. 172. Hee calls for wine. Ibid. (1601), All’s Well, I. i. 202. My Lord cals for you.

1737.  Berkeley, App. Querist, § 104, Wks. 1871, III. 534. Whether our circumstances do not call aloud for some present remedy?

1801.  I. Milner, in Life, xiii. (1842), 246. He said some things which, I thought, called for a fresh lashing.

1843.  Ruskin, Mod. Paint. (1857), I. Pref. 9. The crying evil which called for instant remedy.

1875.  Scrivener, Lect. Grk. Test., 18. Few employments call for so much patience, or task the eyesight and skill of a collator so much as this.

  b.  To call for (a speaker, actor, etc.) to appear in order to receive the applause of the audience.

1822.  New Month. Mag., IV. 315. If the public call for an actor whom they have not seen a long time.

1831.  Macready, in Remin., I. 413. The audience called for me, and seemed pleased in applauding me.

1851.  Illust. Lond. News, 46. The author and the performers were called for.

  c.  To go to or stop at a place and ask for.

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (1856), 103. The cadgers … call for it againe as they come backe.

1833.  Ht. Martineau, Three Ages, III. 89. To be left at the Blue Lion till called for.

  d.  Card-playing. To call for trumps: to indicate by special play to one’s partner that he is to play out trumps. Also absol.

1746.  Hoyle, Whist (ed. 6), 79. If your Partner calls … you are to trump to him.

  23.  To call on or upon. a. To call to a person with a request or entreaty; to address in a loud voice; to apostrophize the absent or dead.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 388. The Kyng was full curtais, calt on a maiden.

1475.  Caxton, Jason, 70. And whan he had so don he began to calle upon the two knightes.

1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., I. ii. 15. Who is it in the presse, that calles on me?

1718.  J. Chamberlayne, Relig. Philos. (1730), Ded. The Texts … in which he does so often call upon Atheists and Infidels.

  b.  To invoke, or make supplication to (God, etc.).

a. 1300.  Hymn to Virg., 1, in Trin. Coll. Hom., App. 257. Moder milde flur of alle … On þe hit is best to calle.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5718. On drightin can þai cri and call. Ibid., 19670. All þat calles on þi nam.

1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, iv. 19. The goddis by hymn adoured and callid on.

1611.  Bible, Gen. iv. 26. Then began men to call vpon the Name of the Lord.

1867.  Lytton, Lost T. Miletus, 67. One night on death he called And passed with death away.

  c.  To appeal to, make direct application to (a person) for (something) or to do (something); to require, to make a demand upon. In the passive, said also of the call or requirements of duty.

  1472.  Marg. Paston, Lett., No. 695, III. 45. Yt is seyde here that my Lord Archebysschoppe is ded; and yf yt be so, calle up on hys suertes for the mony.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., lxxix. 1. Whilst I alone did call upon your aid.

1750.  Johnson, Rambl., No. 120, ¶ 2. He called for help upon the sages of physick.

1814.  Lett. fr. England, II. liii. 368. He called upon his congregation for horses.

  1530.  Palsgr., 473/2. Call upon them to remember my mater.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 287. Speake not you to him till we call vpon you.

1817.  Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. iv. 427. They would be called upon by parliament to produce their records.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 529. Lord Berkeley called on all his friends to help him to seize his daughter.

1883.  Sir W. Brett, in Law Rep. 11 Queen’s B. Div., 599. Without calling upon the defendant’s counsel we are prepared now to give judgment.

Mod.  A man is not called upon to make such sacrifices every day.

  † d.  To appeal to as an authority or precedent.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1843), 22/2. His [Earl of Manchester’s] authority … was still called upon.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., VI. 312. Commonly Princes call on such Statutes when themselves are called on by their necessities.

  † e.  To make a claim for, demand (money due).

1472.  Marg. Paston, Lett., 695, III. 44. I pray ȝow send me a kopy of the dyssecharge … bothe for my dyscharge and ȝowyrs wat sum ever that be callyd upon of eyther of us here after.

1607.  Shaks., Timon, II. ii. 22. My Master is awak’d by great occasion To call vpon his owne.

  † f.  To impeach, challenge. Obs.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., I. iv. 28. Full surfets, and the drinesse of his bones, Call on him for ’t.

1746.  Chesterf., Lett., I. cix. 295. You call upon me for the partiality of an author to his own works.

1791.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 73. Supposing his character called upon, not only as a professional man, but as a man of veracity.

  g.  To pay a short visit to, to make a call on.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., III. iii. 34. Ile call vpon you ere you go to bed.

1822.  New Month. Mag., IV. 403. He had called on me in Wales, and stayed with me nearly three days.

1840.  Fraser’s Mag., XXI. 404. I can … occupy myself … in calling upon some friends.

  *** With adverbs.

  (See also the prec. senses, and the adverbs themselves for less specialized combinations.)

  24.  Call again. a. See senses 1–3, and AGAIN.

  † b.  [sense 4.] To call back, recall, restore; to revoke, retract. Obs.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 26459. If eft misdos wel es right Þe lauerd call again his plight.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 215 (Mätz.). Calle ageyn thin oth.

1483.  Cath. Angl., 52. To calle agane, reuocare.

1509.  Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXI. xvi. Dede done can not be called agayne.

a. 1528.  Skelton, Ph. Sparowe, 22. Nothynge it auayled To call Phylyp agayne Whom Gyb our cat hath slayne.

1562.  Turner, Herbal, II. 84 a. The juice … calleth them agayn that ar brought in to an extreme depe slepe.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xiv. 211. Time cannot be called againe.

  25.  Call away. [sense 4.] To summon or cause to come from one’s actual place or occupation; fig. to divert, call off (the mind, thoughts, etc.).

1741.  Watts, Improv. Mind, xv. § 6 (1801), 126 (J.). The passions call away the thoughts with incessant importunity towards the object that excited them.

1741.  H. Walpole, Lett. H. Mann, III. ix. 27. I … am called away and scarce know what I say.

1833.  Lamb, Last Ess. Elia (Chandos), 478. When … necessity calleth him away.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 41. Menexenus, who is called away to take part in a sacrifice.

  26.  Call back. a. See senses 1, 3, and BACK.

  b.  [sense 4] trans. To summon (a person) to return; to recall; to bring back (a thing).

1594.  Carew, Huarte’s Exam. Wits, viii. (1596), 117. The much cold … calleth backe the naturall heate inward by counterposition.

1611.  Bible, 1 Esdr. i. 50. God … sent by his messenger to call them backe.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 409. The raging Tempest call’d him back in vain.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 68. Wine may call back the vital powers in disease.

  c.  To revoke, retract.

1553.  Bale, Vocac., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), I. 356. He called a great pece of his tale backe againe.

1605.  Broughton, Corrupt. Handling of Relig., 6. He calleth backe himselfe in particulars.

1611.  Bible, Isa. xxxi. 2. Yet he also is wise, and will bring euill, and wil not call backe his words.

1848.  S. Bamford, Early Days, vii. (1859), 68. Rap out a round regimental oath, and as instantly call it back with a ‘Lord help us.’

  d.  To recall to memory, remember.

1851.  Trench, Poems, 38. Then calling back this day we will be strong.

  27.  Call down. a. intr. See senses I, and DOWN adv.

  b.  trans. See sense 4, and DOWN; also fig. to invoke from above, bring down, cause to descend.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. x. On his name Shall call down wretchedness and shame.

1864.  Tennyson, Enoch Arden, 324. Calling down a blessing on his head.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), III. xii. 197. Irregularities … which called down the censures of Pope Leo.

  † c.  [from 3.] To lower by proclamation; to denounce, decry. Obs.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utop. (Arb.), 59. To calle downe the value of coyne to lesse then it is worthe.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. § 3. If an untruth … bee once on foot … it is never called downe.

1633.  T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., iv. (1821), 267. All other moneyes … shall bee decryed, anulled, and called downe.

1668.  Child, Disc. Trade (1698), 246. If the rate of Usury should be called down.

  † d.  [from 1.] To call to one to come or sit down, to stop (a speaker). Obs.

1656.  in Burton, Diary (1828), I. 295. He went on a little way in it, but was called down, in respect it was late.

  28.  Call forth. a. lit. To summon or cause to come forward; to call out.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 11083. Sir Zachari þai did call forth.

1526.  Tindale, Acts xxiv. 2. When Paul was called forth, Tartullus began to accuse him.

1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., I. ii. 15. Call forth your Actors by the scrowle.

1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 649. Calling forth by name His mightie Angels.

  b.  fig. To summon fig., to cause to appear; to draw forth, elicit; to summon up (courage).

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 500.

1709.  Pope, Ess. Crit., 666. And call new beauties forth from ev’ry line. Ibid. (1713), Prol. Addison’s Cato, 16. He … calls forth Roman drops from British eyes.

1853.  Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.), 731. He then called forth his courage, and went up.

  29.  Call in. a. intr. See senses 1, 2, and IN.

  b.  trans. See 4; spec. To withdraw from the outside, from an advanced position, from free action, from circulation or publicity.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. iii. 28. Call in the Powers, good cousin Westmerland.

1633.  Massinger, New Way, IV. ii. Call-in his license.

1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 32. If one of your publisht Orders … were call’d in.

1668.  Child, Disc. Trade (1698), 246. That money will be suddenly called in.

1676.  R. Dixon, Two Testaments, 70. If a Book be called in, I will therefore buy it.

1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 114. The last proclamation of June, 1842, calling in light gold.

1885.  Law Rep. 29 Chanc. Div., 461. The whole balance of the mortgage … might be at once called in.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 5 May, 4/7. The Russians are willing to call in their outposts.

  c.  To summon for assistance or consultation.

1678.  N. Wanley, Wonders, V. i. § 103. 468/2. Ferdinand the third … broke the great power of the Swedes, who were called in for the support of the German liberty.

1875.  Jevons, Money (1878), 36. To call in the aid of the microscope.

1885.  Sir J. Hannen, in Law Rep. 10 Probate Div., 90. Sir William Gull was called in.

  d.  To require the payment or repayment of (money outstanding): cf. CALL sb. 11.

1701.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3749/8. Part of the 10 per Cent. … to be called in. Ibid. (1713), No. 5114/3. 20s. per Share was … called in.

  30.  Call off. a. See senses 1, 3, and OFF.

  b.  [See 4.] To summon away, or from what one is doing; fig. to divert, call away (the attention).

1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 545. The Lord … will call off those evils w^ch they groane under.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 104, ¶ 2. My Eyes were suddenly called off from these … Objects by a little Party of Horsemen.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xxxi. But the appearance of … the jailer’s two servants now called off our attention.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. iv. And in mid chase called off his hound.

  31.  Call on. a. See senses 1, 3, and ON adv.

  † b.  trans. To invite to come on, allure, incite; fig. to encourage the growth of, bring on. Obs.

1603.  Florio, Montaigne, II. xii. (1632), 296. It is a wonder, whither the perverse wickednesse of mans heart will proceed, if it be but called-on with any little successe.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 546. How to multiply and call on mosses.

  c.  intr. Of hounds: To ‘challenge.’

1704.  Worlidge, Dict. Rust. et Urb., s.v. Fox-hunting, And for such as are first cast off, let them be old stanch-hounds, which are sure; and if you hear such an one call on merrily, you must cast off some other to him.

1847–78.  Halliwell, s.v., When hounds are first cast off, and find game, they are said to call on.

  32.  Call out. a. See senses 1, 3, and OUT adv.

  b.  To call or summon forth; fig. to evoke.

c. 1450.  Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 605. Provoco … to calle out.

1840.  Fraser’s Mag., XXII. 697. The usual trick of being called out a dozen times, under pretence of a patient wanting me.

1876.  Green, Short Hist., iv. § 3 (1882), 176. [His] fiercest burst of vengeance was called out by an insult to his mother.

Mod.  The military were called out.

  c.  To challenge to fight (esp. a duel).

1823.  New Month. Mag., VIII. 111. Damme if I don’t call them out.

1840.  Fraser’s Mag., XXI. 594. In modern … parlance, ‘I call you out.’

1882.  Pebody, Eng. Journalism, xi. 79. He … contrived … to be called out for a criticism which was too free and frank even for those times.

  † d.  To call for repayment of (money in a bank, or the like). Obs.

1682.  Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 210–1. Severall persons who had money in the chamber of London … thought fitt to call it out, but were told there were no orders to pay any.

  33.  Call over. a. See senses 1, 3, and OVER.

  b.  To read aloud (a roll or list of names), to which the persons called are to answer, in order to prove their presence. Also absol.

1687.  Bp. Cartwright, in Magd. Coll. & Jas. II. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), 117. We called over the College Roll.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxiv. A gentleman in black … proceeded to call over the names of the jury.

1864.  H. Cox, Instit., I. ix. 137. It has been the practice of the House of Commons, on several occasions of sufficient importance, to order that the House be called over at a future day.

  † c.  To read aloud, recite (an announcement), proclaim; to recite, rehearse (a story). Obs. or dial.

1681.  Select. fr. Harl. Misc. (1793), 466. Here let me call over a story.

1865.  Harland, Lanc. Lyrics, 137. Iv o’ Sunday to’t chourch theaw wilt gang, Ther axins tha’ll yer um coed o’er.

  d.  Call over the coals: see COAL.

  34.  Call together (see 5). To summon to assemble, to convoke.

1526.  Tindale, Luke xxiii. 13. And Pilate called [Wyclif clepid] to geder the hye prestes.

1611.  Bible, Jer. l. 29. Call together the archers against Babylon.

Mod.  Call the workmen together at once.

  35.  Call up. a. See senses 1, 3, and UP adv.

  b.  To summon, from some lower region or place (e.g., from Hades), to bring into the mind by an effort of memory or imagination.

1632.  Milton, Penseroso, 109. That thy power Might … call up him who left untold The story of Cambuscan bold. Ibid. (1667), P. L., III. 603. Philosophers … call up unbound … old Proteus from the Sea.

1847.  L. Hunt, Men, Women, & B., II. viii. 146. A tinselled nymph … calling up commonplaces with a wand.

1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xvii. 32. Able to call up a personal image of several men of the days of Eadward.

  c.  To summon before an authority, tribunal or examiner.

1753.  World, No. 35. I was unfortunately called up to give evidence against him.

1846.  M’Culloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), II. 323. In school … the master ‘calls up’ a certain number … with each of whom he construes a part.

  d.  To call to mind, recall.

1713.  Addison, Cato, I. iv. Why do’st thou call my sorrows up afresh?

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 155. The occasion … could not but call up some recollections which might well soften even a hard heart.

  e.  To call on or incite to rise and speak.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 524. These words called up Rochester. He defended the petition.