speakable
Variant of speak
speak (spēk)
intransitive verb spoke, spoken spo′·ken, speaking speak′·ing
- to utter words with the ordinary voice; talk
- to express or communicate opinions, feelings, ideas, etc. by or as by talking speak in our behalf, actions speak louder than words
- to make a request or reservation (for): usually in the passive voice a seat not yet spoken for
- to make a speech; deliver an address or lecture; discourse
- to be a spokesman (for)
- to talk with another or others; converse
- to make or give out sound, as a gun firing or a dog barking
Etymology: ME speken < OE specan, earlier sprecan, akin to Ger sprechen < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > spark, L spargere, to sprinkle: basic sense “to scatter (words)”
transitive verb
- to express or make known by or as by speaking
- to use or be able to use (a given language) in speaking
- to utter (words) orally
- Archaic to speak to; address
- Archaic to declare or show to be; reveal
- Naut. to hail (a ship)
Related Forms:
- speakable speak′·able adjective
so to speak
speak for itself
speak to
speak well for
to speak of
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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