noun

1. the act of speaking; expression or communication of thoughts and feelings by spoken words
2. the power or ability to speak
3. the manner of speaking her lisping speech
4. that which is spoken; utterance, remark, statement, talk, conversation, etc.
5. a talk or address given to an audience
6. the language used by a certain group of people; dialect or tongue
7. the study of the theory and practice of oral expression and communication
8. Archaic rumor; report

Etymology: ME speche < OE spæc, spræc < base of sprecan, to speak: see speak