Wiktionary
n. A telephone with a wireless handset that communicates via radio waves with a base station connected to a fixed telephone line.
Wikipedia
A cordless telephone or portable telephone replaces the handset cord with a radio link. The handset communicates with a base station connected to a fixed telephone line. The range is limited, usually to the same building or some short distance from the base station. The base station attaches to the telephone network the same way a corded telephone does.
The base station on subscriber premises is what differentiates a cordless telephone from a mobile telephone. Current cordless telephone standards, such as PHS and DECT, have blurred the once clear-cut line between cordless and mobile telephones by implementing cell handoff (handover); various advanced features, such as data-transfer; and even, on a limited scale, international roaming. In specialized models, base stations are maintained by a commercial mobile network operator and users subscribe to the service.
In 1994, digital cordless phones in the 900 MHz frequency range were introduced. Digital signals allowed the phones to be more secure and decreased eavesdropping—it was relatively easy to eavesdrop on analog cordless phone conversations. In 1995, digital spread spectrum (DSS) was introduced for cordless phones. This technology enabled the digital information to spread in pieces among multiple frequencies between the receiver and the base, thereby making it almost impossible to eavesdrop on the cordless conversations.
Unlike a corded telephone, a cordless telephone needs mains electricity to power the base station. The cordless handset is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is charged when the handset is stored in its cradle.
Usage examples of "cordless telephone".
For a few moments she tried to burrow like a mole back into the dark furry tunnel of sleep, but Guy was stroking her breasts and putting increasing pressure on her clitoris, like a stiff button on the cordless telephone, until grumbling Georgie lumbered out of bed, muttering that she must clean her teeth and wash, but Guy pulled her back.
Patrick's reply was drowned by a bellow of rage from outside and Declan stormed in holding a piece of paper in one hand and the cordless telephone in the other.
He was flailing his arms and shouting something unintelligible at a uniformed man with a cordless telephone in his hand.
David Chung, with a cordless telephone in his hand, beat Nathan back into the small room by maybe a second and a half.
Striding down the centre of it came Hiram Martin and in one hand he carried a cordless telephone.
These days, what I need is one of those cordless telephone headsets.
Besides the stuff you already knew about, she's missing a computer, a fax machine, a cordless telephone, a bunch of silver pieces, a pair of antique dueling pistols, a camcorder, and a jewelry box that deserved a spot in Fort Knox.
In the middle of his coffee and croissant, one of the waiters approached his table carrying a cordless telephone.
Alison, trembling, picked up the cordless telephone and dialled 911.
A minute or so later, Gesine appeared with a fresh pitcher and a cordless telephone.