[say] vb said ; say.ing ; says [ME, fr. OE secgan; akin to OHG sagen to say, Lith sakyti, Gk ennepein to speak, tell] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to express in words: state b: to state as opinion or belief: declare
2. a: utter, pronounce b: recite, repeat "~ your prayers" 3 a: indicate, show "the clock ~s five minutes after twelve" b: to give expression to: communicate "a glance that said all that was necessary" ~ vi: to express oneself: speak -- say.er n -- say uncle : to admit defeat -- that is to say : in other words: in effect
[2]say n, pl says (1571) 1 archaic: something that is said: statement
2: an expression of opinion "had my ~"
3: a right or power to influence action or decision; esp: the authority to make final decisions [3]say adv [fr. imper. of [1]say] (1596) 1: about, approximately "the property is worth, ~, four million dollars"
2: for example: as "if we compress any gas, ~ oxygen"