- speak
- verb (past spoke; past participle spoken)1》 say something.↘make a speech.↘communicate in or be able to communicate in (a specified language).↘(speak for) express the views or position of.↘(speak out/up) express one's opinions frankly and publicly.↘(speak up) speak more loudly.2》 (speak to) talk to in order to advise, pass on information, etc.↘appeal or relate to.3》 (of behaviour, an event, etc.) serve as evidence for something.↘archaic show or manifest to be.4》 (of an object) make a sound.↘(of a hound) bark.Phrasesspeak in tongues speak in an unknown language during religious worship, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).speak one's mind express one's opinions frankly.speak volumes (of a look, gesture, etc.) convey a great deal without using words.speak well (or ill) of praise (or criticize).to speak of [with negative] used to indicate that there is very little of something: I've no capital—well, none to speak of.Derivativesspeakable adjectiveOriginOE sprecan, later specan, of W. Gmc origin.
English new terms dictionary. 2014.