calling card

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word calling card. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word calling card, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say calling card in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word calling card you have here. The definition of the word calling card will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofcalling card, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: calling-card

English

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Noun

calling card (plural calling cards)

  1. A small printed card which identifies the bearer, traditionally presented for introduction when making a social visit to a home or when attending a formal social event or business meeting.
    Synonyms: at-home card, business card, name card, meishi, visiting card
    • 1905, Alice Hegan Rice, chapter 7, in Sandy, page 80:
      If Mrs. Nelson does come here, you be sure to put on your white apron before you open the door; and for pity sake don't forget the card-tray! You ought to know better than to stick out your hand for a lady's calling-card.
  2. (figurative) An attribute, symptom, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
    Synonyms: signature, mark, hallmark
    • 2006 May 14, Anne Midgette, “Summer Stages: Mozart, Yes, But Also Much More”, in New York Times‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:
      Free and slightly funky chamber music is the calling card of this festival.
    • 2020 September 2, “Aleksei Navalny Was Poisoned With Novichok, Germany Says”, in New York Times‎:
      The poisoning also turned Novichok into something of a Russian calling card.
    • 2020 October 3, Sanam Yar, “Lili Reinhart Is Just Being Honest”, in New York Times‎:
      She didn’t set out to make candor her calling card.
  3. (euphemistic) Excrement, especially of a domestic animal.
    • 2005 January 21, Dwight Perry, “Sideline Chatter: Just doo it”, in Seattle Times‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:
      A guide dog left his calling card on the court at Tuesday night's Magic-Pistons game in Orlando.
  4. A phonecard.
    Synonym: telephone card
    • 2003 November 22, Michelle Singletary, “Traveler beware: Free things may cost you money”, in seattlepi.com‎, retrieved 26 September 2008:
      Many experts now advise consumers to use a prepaid calling card to save money on long distance calls while staying in a hotel.
  5. A card advertising the services of a prostitute.
    Synonym: tart card
  6. (World War I– World War II military slang) An explosive dropped from a bomber aeroplane.[1]

Translations

References

  1. ^ Lighter, Jonathan (1972) “The Slang of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, 1917-1919: An Historical Glossary”, in American Speech‎, volume 47, number 1/2, page 28
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia