DCHP-1 Online

call ((v.))

• 1 v. call game by imitating their cries, either by mouth or by instrument.

  • 1793  (1937)  [He was] a great sportsman, and perfectly expert in their manner of . . . calling in the game.
  • 1889  (1892)  A few geese were called up to the camp and killed from the doors of the lodges; the Indians imitate to perfection the cry of any bird, and at this time of year the geese are easy to call. . . .
  • 1957  He is an expert on wild life and he can call a mad bull moose up so close you will wonder how things turned out.

• 2 v. chant the changes or movements for a square dance.

  See also: call off  

  • 1912  (1914)  Another fellow was calling the dance at the top of his voice, and a number of huge lumberjacks were hopping around like so many ballet girls.
  • 1963  . . . he'd gladly have gone fifty miles . . . to hear himself call the square-dances.