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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

calling card en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Meanings

  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.
    • 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. 1905, Alice Hegan Rice, chapter 7, in Sandy, page 80:
  2. (figuratively) An attribute, symptom, object, or behavior which is distinctly characteristic of someone or something.
    • The poisoning also turned Novichok into something of a Russian calling card. 2020 September 2, “Aleksei Navalny Was Poisoned With Novichok, Germany Says”, in New York Times:
    • She didn’t set out to make candor her calling card. 2020 October 3, Sanam Yar, “Lili Reinhart Is Just Being Honest”, in New York Times:
    • Free and slightly funky chamber music is the calling card of this festival. 2006 May 14, Anne Midgette, “Summer Stages: Mozart, Yes, But Also Much More”, in New York Times, retrieved 26 Sep 2008:
  3. (euphemistic) Excrement, especially of a domestic animal.
    • A guide dog left his calling card on the court at Tuesday night's Magic-Pistons game in Orlando. 2005 January 21, Dwight Perry, “Sideline Chatter: Just doo it”, in Seattle Times, archived from the original on 04 Jan 2013:
  4. A phonecard.
    • Many experts now advise consumers to use a prepaid calling card to save money on long distance calls while staying in a hotel. 2003 November 22, Michelle Singletary, “Traveler beware: Free things may cost you money”, in seattlepi.com, retrieved 26 Sep 2008:
  5. A card advertising the services of a prostitute.
  6. An explosive dropped from a bomber aeroplane.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
calling cards Number=Plur lexicographic
calling-card alternative lexicographic

Synonyms

at-home card · tart card · business card · visiting card · name card · signature · meishi · telephone card · hallmark · mark

Translations (22)

ru визи́тная ка́рточка (characteristic) · pl karta wizytowa (business card) · sv signatur (characteristic) · pl wizytówka (characteristic) · fi käyntikortti (euphemistic: excrement) · uk візиті́вка (characteristic) · es carta de presentación (characteristic) · pl karta telefoniczna (phonecard) · fr selles (euphemistic: excrement) · pl bilet wizytowy (business card) · uk візи́тка (characteristic) · fr marque de fabrique (characteristic) · fi puhelinkortti (phonecard) · fi käyntikortti (characteristic) · fr fèces (euphemistic: excrement) · pl wizytówka (business card) · pl niespodzianka (euphemistic: excrement) · hu telefonkártya (phonecard) · es sello de (characteristic) · fr popo (euphemistic: excrement) · de Markenzeichen (characteristic) · es marca de (characteristic)