calling
verbnountop 1 000 in film dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkɔːlɪŋ//
- United Kingdom/[kʰolɪŋ]/
- United States//ˈkɔlɪŋ//
- United States/[kʰɔlɪŋ]/
- //kaːlɪn//
A strong urge (to do some particular thing with or in one's life, for example to become religious, to help the poor, or to be an entertainer).
verb
- 1
Also a form of callpresent participle and gerund of call
Etymology
From Middle English callyng, kallyng, kalland, from Old English *cealliende and Old Norse kallandi, equivalent to call + -ing.
noun
- 1
A strong urge (to do some particular thing with or in one's life, for example to become religious, to help the poor, or to be an entertainer).
- 2
A job or occupation.
Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster.
Etymology
From Middle English calling, callynge, equivalent to call + -ing.
Forms
- plural
- callings
calling · A strong urge (to do some particular thing with or in one's life, for example to become religious, to help the poor, or to be an entertainer).
calm · Peaceful, quiet, especially free from anger and anxiety.calmed · Having been made calmer.calming · That calms; soothing, relaxing