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pickup

See also: Pickup, pick-up, and pick up

Contents

EnglishEdit

Alternative formsEdit

EtymologyEdit

From pick +‎ up.

NounEdit

pickup (plural pickups)

  1. An electronic device for detecting sound, vibration, etc., such as one fitted to an electric guitar or record player.
    1. In a record player, an electromagnetic component that converts the needle vibrations into an electrical signal.
  2. (US, Canada) A pickup truck.
  3. (usually attributive) Impromptu or ad hoc, especially of sports games.
    Rather than join a basketball league, James decided to play pick up.
    At lunch we had a game of pickup hockey.
    • 2010, Mary Ellen Snodgrass, Peter Carey: A Literary Companion (page 100)
      Trevor, like an Aussie outbacker, eats snacks and a pickup meal of bread, cantaloupe, olives, mangoes, and melon.
  4. An instance of approaching someone and engaging in romantic flirtation and courting with the intent to pursue romance, a date, or a sexual encounter. See also pick-up line, pick-up joint, pickup artist.
    Hey, thanks for the drink, but if this is a pickup, I'm not interested.
  5. (sports) In various games, the fielding or hitting of a ball just after it strikes the ground.
    • 2011 June 28, David Ornstein, “Wimbledon 2011: Victoria Azarenka beats Tamira Paszek in quarters”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:
      The fourth seed was dominating her 20-year-old opponent with a series of stinging groundstrokes and athletic drive-volleys, striking again in game five when Paszek flicked a forehand pick-up into the tramlines.
  6. (video games) An item that can be picked up by the player, conferring some benefit or effect; a power-up.
    • 1991, James Leach, Turrican II (video game review) in Your Sinclair issue 69
      Every step of the way you come across absolutely loads of aliens, pick-ups and new and weird obstacles to overcome.
    • 2002, Acclaim Entertainment, Turok Evolution: The official strategy guide (page 73)
      Enter the graveyard if you want pick-ups, otherwise make a left under the archways to progress. When the pathway ends, you'll see two blocked-off tunnels and a switch between them.
  7. (US, Canada) The act of a challenging party or candidate winning an electoral district held by an incumbent party or candidate. See also gain
    The returns from the election show Apple Party candidate Jane Doe has made a pickup in the district of City West defeating Orange Party Incumbent Joe Smith
  8. The act of answering a telephone.
    • 2006, Georgina Spelvin, The Devil Made Me Do It, Little Red Hen Books (2008), →ISBN, page 224:
      That's why the phone at the theater's on automatic pickup.
  9. (film) A relatively minor shot filmed or recorded after the fact to augment previous footage.
  10. The act of collecting and taking away something or someone, usually in a vehicle. The time the act occurs.

DescendantsEdit

TranslationsEdit

pickup truck — see pickup truck

PortugueseEdit

NounEdit

pickup f (plural pickups)

  1. Alternative form of picape

SpanishEdit

NounEdit

pickup m (plural pickups)

  1. pickup (vehicle)
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