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SOS
1the letters represented by the radio telegraphic signal ( – – – ) used, especially by ships in distress, as an internationally recognized call for help.
noun
any call for help.
We sent out an SOS for more typists.
verb (used without object)
to send an SOS.
SOS
2abbreviation
shit on a shingle (a euphemistic initialism used to avoid explicit vulgarity).
s.o.s.
3abbreviation
(in prescriptions) if necessary.
SOS
noun
an internationally recognized distress signal in which the letters SOS are repeatedly spelt out, as by radio-telegraphy: used esp by ships and aircraft
a message broadcast in an emergency for people otherwise unobtainable
informala call for help
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of SOS1
Origin of SOS2
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of SOS1
Example Sentences
Detained Cubans demonstrated inside the Krome Detention Center in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, spelling out “SOS,” “CUBA” and “LIBRE” using their bodies and towels.
The title of "Sirens" refers to Devon and Simone's version of an SOS and, of course, it also evokes the mythical figures famous for luring sailors to their deaths with their otherworldly voices.
And “Étoile,” the new show, is really a love letter and an SOS about the arts in general.
Cyprus responded to the SOS signal by dispatching a vessel, the charity said, but that it was not "providing the critical electrical support needed".
It was her who sent out the SOS for the Newquay lynx.
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When To Use
The letter sequence SOS (pronounced S-O-S) is used in Morse code as a distress signal—a way to call for help during an emergency, such as on a ship.Morse code uses clicks and pauses, short and long sounds, or flashes of light to represent letters and numbers. S is represented by three short clicks or brief flashes of light, and O is represented by three long sounds or longer flashes of light (depicted with dashes).Morse code can be written out using dots to represent short clicks and dashes to represent long ones, resulting in a specific sequence for SOS (··· – – – ···) that was chosen since it would be easy to communicate with sounds over radio or with flashes of light.The signal became well-known enough that SOS came to be used as an informal term for any call for help or notification that there is an emergency, as in Send an SOS to the board letting them know that we’ll have to schedule an emergency meeting. When used this way, each letter is still pronounced individually (S-O-S). The plural of SOS can be written as SOSs or SOS’s. SOS can also be used as a verb meaning to send such an SOS.Example: I have my phone set up to automatically send an SOS to certain contacts if I ever dial 9-1-1.
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