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tele

1 American  
[tel-ee] / ˈtɛl i /
Or telly

noun

British Informal.
  1. television.


tele- 2 American  
  1. a combining form meaning “distant,” especially “transmission over a distance,” used in the formation of compound words.

    telegraph.


tele- 3 American  
  1. a combining form meaning “end,” “complete,” used in the formation of compound words.

    telestich.


tele. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. television.


tele- British  

combining form

  1. at or over a distance; distant

    telescope

    telegony

    telekinesis

    telemeter

  2. television

    telecast

  3. by means of or via telephone or television

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tele– Scientific  
  1. A prefix that means “at a distance,” as in telemetry.


Etymology

Origin of tele1

By shortening

Origin of tele-2

Combining form representing Greek têle far, akin to télos end ( see tele- 2)

Origin of tele-3

Combining form representing Greek télos end, and téleios perfected; akin to teleîn to fulfill

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 3x tele lens on the S22 produces some of the best portrait mode shots I’ve ever seen, and the Fold 4 is capable of excellent portraits, too.

From The Verge • Aug. 17, 2022

"I didn't want to stay at home. The news was on the tele as well so I just wanted to get away from it all."

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2022

She figured with COVID-19’s protocols putting a crimp in the bachelor’s style, a face-to-face tele call would be just thing to help break the ice.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2020

La vida secreta de seis mascotas y todo lo que hacen cuando sus dueños salen de la casa, desde mirar la tele hasta vaciar la heladera, queda al descubierto.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2019

Qui que en beit, Se tele seit com estre deit, Res miranda!

From A Literary History of the English People From the Origins to the Renaissance by Jusserand, Jean Jules