last calln.
/ˈlɑːst ˌkɔːl/, /ˈlast ˌkɔːl/, U.S. /ˈlæst ˌkɔl/ 1. Originally Theology. Usually with the. A summons for sinners to repent, given on the day of the Last Judgement. Frequently in phrases relating to one's impending death, as to hear the last call, to answer the last call, etc.
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a1500 Erthe upon Erthe (Rawl. C.307) (1911) 12 (MED) Erthe oute of erthe shalle com to the laste calle.
1554 J. Proctor in tr. St. Vincent of Lérins Waie Home to Christ Prol. sig. Cviv Nowe againe of his mesureles mercy he calleth you. And out of doubt this is the laste call, this is the laste sounde of the trumpet.
1687 To Memory Illustrious Prince George Duke of Buckingham 1 When the dread Summons of Commanding Fate Sounds the Last Call at some proud Palace-Gate, When both the Rich, the Fair, the Great, and High, Fortunes most darling Favourits must dye.
1695 S. Watson Epis. by way of Testimony to Friends of Manch. 5 Those that abide in these things..cannot be..unfruitful in the Work of the Vineyard, God hath called them into, but are always ready..to enter into the Bridegrooms Chamber, not knowing how soon the last call may be to any of us.
1734 S. Johnson Laodicean Age viii. 123 Other Servants will be sent out..to compel them to come in, that his House may be filled... This is the Last Call and the Last Invitation they are to expect.
1833 W. Carleton Traits & Stories Irish Peasantry III. 332 You don't long half as much for your last call as I do.
1901 Ann. Grand Lodge of Iowa 17 App. C. p. i An inexpressible sadness comes over us as we recall the list of the fallen brothers, who have heard the last call and responded thereto.
1994 R. Hendrickson Happy Trails 8 I'm over ninety now, getting ready to answer the last call.
2010 R. G. Robins Pentecostalism in Amer. ii. 27 Saints like Bartleman..trumpeted the earthquake and their revival as God's ‘Last Call’ to repentance.
2. North American. In a bar, pub, etc.: the time when notice is given that it is near closing time and any further drinks should be ordered immediately; a shout or bell which announces this. Cf. last orders at order n. 23e.
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1935 Tyrone (Pa.) Daily Herald 2 Apr. 2/4 Two o'clock curfew on liquor sales has caused gay spots here to sound a 'last call for drinks' to lingering patrons.
1953 Commentary July 68/2 The bartender declares, ‘Last call. You got ten minutes.’
1983 D. C. Perry Bag Man xiii. 126 It happened just before last call at a crumbling swillery on a dark stretch of Parliament Street.
1994 Ale St. News Apr. 30/1 In Ontario, pubs, bars and restaurants are..serving alcohol..to 1:00 in the morning, with last call at least five minutes before 1:00 a.m., which is followed by a 45-minute drinking-up period.
2013 Huffington Post (Nexis) 11 Feb. They have to clean up all the messes, felonious or otherwise, that trail behind the beer-fueled mayhem unleashed come last call.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1500