Speaking

Speaking
Speak Speak, v. i. [imp. {Spoke}({Spake}Archaic); p. p. {Spoken}({Spoke}, Obs. or Colloq.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Speaking}.] [OE. speken, AS. specan, sprecan; akin to OF.ries. spreka, D. spreken, OS. spreken, G. sprechen, OHG. sprehhan, and perhaps to Skr. sph[=u]rj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. {Spark} of fire, {Speech}.] 1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak. [1913 Webster]

Till at the last spake in this manner. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. --1 Sam. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]

2. To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse. [1913 Webster]

That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak. --Boyle. [1913 Webster]

An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally. [1913 Webster]

Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]

4. To discourse; to make mention; to tell. [1913 Webster]

Lycan speaks of a part of C[ae]sar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

5. To give sound; to sound. [1913 Webster]

Make all our trumpets speak. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will. [1913 Webster]

Thine eye begins to speak. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{To speak of}, to take account of, to make mention of. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

{To speak out}, to speak loudly and distinctly; also, to speak unreservedly.

{To speak well for}, to commend; to be favorable to.

{To speak with}, to converse with. ``Would you speak with me?'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Speaking — Speak ing, a. 1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube. [1913 Webster] 2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. [1913 Webster] {A speaking acquaintance}, a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • speaking — speak·ing adj: addressing matters not set forth in the pleadings a speaking demurrer a speaking motion Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. speaking …   Law dictionary

  • speaking — [spē′kiŋ] adj. 1. that speaks or seems to speak; expressive; eloquent; vivid [a speaking likeness] 2. used in or for speech 3. allowing or admitting of speech [within speaking range] n. 1. the act or art of a person who speaks 2. that which is… …   English World dictionary

  • speaking — ► ADJECTIVE 1) used for or engaged in speech. 2) able to communicate in a specified language. ● on speaking terms Cf. ↑on speaking terms …   English terms dictionary

  • speaking of — spoken phrase used for introducing something new that you are going to say relating to a subject that someone has just mentioned Speaking of money, have we paid our credit card bills yet? Thesaurus: ways of adding extra informationsynonym… …   Useful english dictionary

  • speaking as — (someone) with the experience of this type of person. What would you like to see happen, speaking as a someone who has lived in the area for a long time? …   New idioms dictionary

  • speaking of — (something) related to the subject being discussed. Casey is at a birthday party – speaking of birthdays, Abe s is Friday. Usage notes: used to introduce a slightly different subject …   New idioms dictionary

  • Speaking — Speak ing, n. 1. The act of uttering words. [1913 Webster] 2. Public declamation; oratory. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • speaking — [[t]spi͟ːkɪŋ[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT: oft supp N Speaking is the activity of giving speeches and talks. It would also train women union members in public speaking and decision making... His work schedule still includes speaking engagements and other… …   English dictionary

  • speaking — n. & adj. n. the act or an instance of uttering words etc. adj. 1 that speaks; capable of articulate speech. 2 (of a portrait) lifelike; true to its subject (a speaking likeness). 3 (in comb.) speaking or capable of speaking a specified foreign… …   Useful english dictionary

  • speaking — speakingly, adv. speakingness, n. /spee king/, n. 1. the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks. 2. speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature. adj. 3. that speaks. 4. used in, suited …   Universalium

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