push-button dialing

[′pu̇sh ¦bət·ən ′dī·liŋ]

(electronics)

Dialing a number by pushing buttons on the telephone rather than turning a circular wheel; each depressed button causes a transistor oscillator to oscillate simultaneously at two different frequencies, generating a pair of audio tones which are recognized by central-office (or PBX) switching equipment as digits of a telephone number. Also known as tone dialing; touch call.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Then there was push-button dialing and we were thrilled.

'Lola, who is older, you or Snow White?'

Entertaining as this is, it is still a real phone, not a toy, with a choice between tone or pulse push-button dialing, last number redial, and switchable messages.

Pooh's on the line. (Holiday Gifts Galore)

The telephone is fully functional, with push-button dialing and redial capability.