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busy signal

 - 2 dictionary results

busy signal

–noun
Telephony. a regular succession of buzzing tones transmitted to a caller to indicate that the circuit serving the number is blocked or in use, rapid repetition indicating that the network is blocked and normal repetition that the telephone being called is in use.

Origin:
1890–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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busy signal  
n.  A series of sharp buzzing tones heard over a telephone when the line dialed is already in use.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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