speak

verb (spoke; spoken; speaking) Etymology: Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan; akin to Old High German sprehhan to speak, Greek spharageisthai to crackle Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. a. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice ; talk b. (1) to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally (2) to extend a greeting (3) to be friendly enough to engage in conversation <

still were not speaking after the dispute

> c. (1) to express oneself before a group (2) to address one's remarks <

speak to the issue

> 2. a. to make a written statement <

his diaries…spoke…of his entrancement with death — Sy Kahn

> b. to use such an expression — often used in the phrase so to speak <

was at the enemy's gates, so to speak — C. S. Forester

> c. to serve as spokesperson <

spoke for the whole group

> 3. a. to express feelings by other than verbal means <

actions speak louder than words

> b. signal c. to be interesting or attractive ; appeal <

great music…speaks directly to the emotions — A. N. Whitehead

> 4. to make a request or claim — used with for; usually used in passive constructions <

the seat was already spoken for

> 5. to make a characteristic or natural sound <

all at once the thunder spoke — George Meredith

> 6. a. testify b. to be indicative or suggestive <

his gold…spoke of riches in the land — Julian Dana

> transitive verb 1. a. (1) to utter with the speaking voice ; pronounce (2) to give a recitation of ; declaim b. to express orally ; declare <

free to speak their minds

> c. address, accost; especially hail 2. to make known in writing ; state 3. to use or be able to use in speaking <

speaks Spanish

> 4. to indicate by other than verbal means 5. archaic describe, depict • speakable adjective