noun
(also Télétel)
historical An interactive videotex system operated by France Télécom, in which computers and specially designed terminals are linked via the telephone network; = Minitel .
Teletel was first launched in 1978 and allowed telephone subscribers access to services and facilities now more commonly associated with the internet, such as online message boards and, via mail order retailers, shopping. The Teletel system was closed down in 2012.
Origin
1970s; earliest use found in Television. From French Télétel, apparently from télé- (in either téléphone or télévision) + tel- (in either télévision or téléphone).
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