(a) a signal, typically an audible one, that a telegraphic message has arrived, or that there is a telephone call to be answered (now rare); (b) =…

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

Also, such a sound produced electrically; cf. pure tone at pure, adj. 1c. In Telephony, a pure tone or a more complex sound generated automatically…

(The signal for) the severance of a connection made through a telephone exchange.

a sound indicating to a caller that a telephone line is engaged (cf. sense 2b).

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

a sound produced in a telephone indicating that the line is in order and the caller can start dialling.

= dialling tone n. at dialling, n. compounds 2.

The sound produced in a caller's telephone to indicate that a connection with the number dialled has been made and the called phone is ringing; = ri…

the sound produced in a caller's telephone to indicate that a connection with the number dialled has been made and the called phone is ringing.

A short, high-pitched electronic tone used as a signal; spec. (a) one of a sequence of such tones broadcast over the radio as a time signal; (b)…

A series of three consecutive pips (pip, n.5) used as a time signal (in a speaking clock service, etc.); a series of three consecutive pips…

A meaningless syllable formed arbitrarily, usually from initial and final consonants and a vowel, for use in testing telephone systems.

a tone heard on the line of a payphone when payment is due.

A sound made by a telephone when there is an incoming call awaiting an answer; esp. one made by a mobile phone, typically a snatch of music or…