# Morse

/ˈmɔɹs/ (US) · /mˈɔːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/morse
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. communication system

noun · CEFR B2

a way of sending messages using short and long sounds or flashes of light, called dots and dashes.

For teachers: a method of transmitting text information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener.

- The ship used Morse to send a distress signal when the radio broke.
- Proficiency in Morse was once a mandatory requirement for obtaining an amateur radio license, though it is now largely a hobbyist pursuit.

### 3. clothing clasp

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

a decorative metal piece used to fasten a long cloak, often worn by priests.

For teachers: a large, often highly ornamental metal clasp used to secure a cope at the front.

- The bishop wore a heavy gold morse to hold his ceremonial robe together.
- The cathedral's treasury contains a fourteenth-century morse encrusted with sapphires and intricate filigree work.

### 4. walrus

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for a walrus.

For teachers: a historical and now obsolete synonym for the walrus.

- In the old book, the explorer described seeing a morse on the ice.
- Early modern naturalists often referred to the walrus as a morse, a term derived from northern European languages.

## Examples

- The sailor sent a message in morse.
- During the emergency, the pilot used a flashlight to signal for help in morse code.
- Although digital communication has largely replaced it, many amateur radio operators still maintain the skill of sending and receiving messages in morse as a reliable backup method.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.