2 N‑UNCOUNT The calibre of something is its quality, especially when it is good. □ [+ of ] The calibre of teaching was very high.
3 N‑COUNT [adj N ] The calibre of a gun is the width of the inside of its barrel. [TECHNICAL ] □ …a .22 calibre rifle.
cali|co /kæ l I koʊ/ (calicoes ) N‑VAR Calico is plain white fabric made from cotton.
cali|per /kæ l I pə r / (calipers ) also calliper
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft a pair of N ] Calipers are an instrument consisting of two long, thin pieces of metal joined together at one end, and are used to measure the size of things.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Calipers are devices consisting of metal rods held together by straps, which are used to support a person's legs when they cannot walk properly.
ca|liph /ke I l I f/ (caliphs ) also calif N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A caliph was a Muslim ruler. □ …the caliph of Baghdad.
cal|is|then|ics /kæ l I sθe n I ks/ also callisthenics N‑PLURAL Calisthenics are simple exercises that you can do to keep fit and healthy.
call ◆◆◆ /kɔː l/ (calls , calling , called )
1 VERB If you call someone or something by a particular name or title, you give them that name or title. □ [V n n] 'Doctor…'—'Will you please call me Sarah?' □ [V n + by ] Everybody called each other by their surnames. ● called ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ There are two men called Buckley at the Home Office. □ …a device called an optical amplifier.
2 VERB If you call someone or something a particular thing, you suggest they are that thing or describe them as that thing. □ [V n n] The speech was interrupted by members of the Conservative Party, who called him a traitor. □ [V n adj] She calls me lazy and selfish. □ [V it adj to-inf] He called it particularly cynical to begin releasing the hostages on Christmas Day. □ [V pron-refl n] Anyone can call themselves a psychotherapist.
3 VERB If you call something, you say it in a loud voice, because you are trying to attract someone's attention. □ [V n] He could hear the others downstairs in different parts of the house calling his name. □ [V with quote] 'Boys!' she called again. ● PHRASAL VERB Call out means the same as call . □ [V P n] The butcher's son called out a greeting. □ [V P with quote] The train stopped and a porter called out, 'Middlesbrough!' [Also V n P ]
4 VERB If you call someone, you telephone them. □ [V n] Would you call me as soon as you find out? □ [V n] A friend of mine gave me this number to call. □ [V ] 'May I speak with Mr Coyne, please?'—'May I ask who's calling?'
5 VERB If you call someone such as a doctor or the police, you ask them to come to you, usually by phoning them. □ [V n] He screamed for someone to call an ambulance. □ [be V -ed to-inf] One night he was called to see a woman with tuberculosis.
6 VERB If you call someone, you ask them to come to you by shouting to them. □ [V n] She called her young son: 'Here, Stephen, come and look at this!' □ [V n prep] He called me over the Tannoy.
7 N‑COUNT When you make a telephone call , you telephone someone. □ [+ to ] I made a phone call to the United States to talk to a friend. □ [+ from ] I've had hundreds of calls from other victims.
8 VERB If someone in authority calls something such as a meeting, rehearsal, or election, they arrange for it to take place at a particular time. □ [V n] The Committee decided to call a meeting of the All India Congress. □ [V n] The 79-year-old Swiss called a press conference in Zurich to announce his objections to the decision.
9 VERB [usu passive] If someone is called before a court or committee, they are ordered to appear there, usually to give evidence. □ [be V -ed to-inf] The child waited two hours before she was called to give evidence. □ [be V -ed prep] I was called as an expert witness. [Also be V -ed]
10 VERB If you call somewhere, you make a short visit there. □ [V prep/adv] A market researcher called at the house where he was living. □ [V ] Andrew now came almost weekly to call. ● N‑COUNT Call is also a noun. □ [+ on ] He decided to pay a call on Tommy Cummings.
11 VERB When a train, bus, or ship calls somewhere, it stops there for a short time to allow people to get on or off. □ [V prep/adv] The steamer calls at several ports along the way.
12 VERB To call a game or sporting event means to cancel it, for example because of rain or bad light. [AM ] □ [V n] We called the next game.
13 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] If there is a call for something, someone demands that it should happen. □ [+ for ] There have been calls for a new kind of security arrangement. □ Almost all workers heeded a call to stay at home during the strike.
14 N‑UNCOUNT If there is little or no call for something, very few people want it to be done or provided. □ [+ for ] 'Have you got just plain chocolate?'—'No, I'm afraid there's not much call for that.'
15 N‑SING [with poss] The call of something such as a place is the way it attracts or interests you strongly.