call-out

[ kawl-out ]
/ ˈkɔlˌaʊt /

noun

an act or instance of calling out.
an order to report for emergency or special work, especially at an unusual time or place.
a letter, number, or other device for identifying or calling attention to a particular part of an illustration.
a challenge to a duel.

Origin of call-out

First recorded in 1885–90; noun use of verb phrase call out

Definition for call out (2 of 2)

Origin of call

1200–50; late Middle English callen, probably < Old Norse kalla to call out, conflated with Old English (West Saxon) ceallian to shout; cognate with Middle Dutch kallen to talk, Old High German kallôn to shout, akin to Old English -calla herald, Irish gall swan, OCS glasŭ voice

synonym study for call

2, 3, 12. Call, invite, summon imply requesting the presence or attendance of someone at a particular place. Call is the general word: to call a meeting. To invite is to ask someone courteously to come as a guest, a participant, etc., leaving the person free to refuse: to invite guests to a concert; to invite them to contribute to a fund. Summon implies sending for someone, using authority or formality in making the request and (theoretically) not leaving the person free to refuse: to summon a witness, members of a committee, etc.

OTHER WORDS FROM call

un·called, adjective well-called, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH call

call caul cull

British Dictionary definitions for call out (1 of 2)

call out

verb (adverb)

to utter aloud, esp loudly
(tr) to summon
(tr) to order (workers) to strike
(tr) to summon (an employee) to work at a time outside his normal working hours, usually in an emergency
(tr) to challenge to a duel

British Dictionary definitions for call out (2 of 2)

call
/ (kɔːl) /

verb

noun

Word Origin for call

Old English ceallian; related to Old Norse kalla, Old High German kallōn, Old Slavonic glasǔ voice

Idioms and Phrases with call out (1 of 2)

call out

1

Summon into action or service, as in The governor called out the militia. [Mid-1400s]

2

Challenge to a fight, as in To avenge the insult, Arthur called him out. This term originated with dueling and is dying out. [Early 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with call out (2 of 2)

call