SPEAK

verb (spoke; spoken; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English speken, from Old English sprecan, specan; akin to Old High German sprehhan to ~, Greek spharageisthai to crackle Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice ; talk , b. to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally, to extend a greeting, to be friendly enough to engage in conversation , c. to express oneself before a group, to address one's remarks , 2. to make a written statement , to use such an expression, to serve as spokesperson , 3. to express feelings by other than verbal means , signal , to be interesting or attractive ; appeal , to make a request or claim, to make a characteristic or natural sound , 6. testify , to be indicative or suggestive , transitive verb 1. a. to utter with the ~ing voice ; pronounce , to give a recitation of ; declaim , to express orally ; declare , address , accost , to make known in writing ; state , to use or be able to use in ~ing , to indicate by other than verbal means, describe , depict , ~able adjective