[speak] vb spoke ; spo.ken ; speak.ing [ME speken, fr. OE sprecan, specan; akin to OHG sprehhan to speak, Gk spharageisthai to crackle] vi (bef. 12c) 1 a: to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice: talk b (1): to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally (2): to extend a greeting (3): to be on speaking terms "still were not ~ing after the dispute" c (1): to express oneself before a group (2): to address one's remarks "~ to the issue"
2. a: to make a written statement "his diaries ... spoke ... of his entrancement with death --Sy Kahn" b: to use such an expression--often used in the phrase so to speak "was at the enemy's gates, so to ~ --C. S. Forester" c: to serve as spokesman "spoke for the whole group" 3 a: to express feelings by other than verbal means "actions ~ louder than words" b: signal c: to be interesting or attractive: appeal "great music ... ~s directly to the emotions --A. N. Whitehead"
4: to make a request: ask "spoke for the remaining piece of pie"
5: to make a characteristic or natural sound "all at once the thunder spoke --George Meredith"
6. a: testify b: to be indicative or suggestive "his gold ... spoke of riches in the land --Julian Dana" ~ vt 1 a (1): to utter with the speaking voice: pronounce (2): to give a recitation of: declaim b: to express orally: declare "free to ~ their minds" c: address, accost; esp: hail
2: to make known in writing: state
3: to use or be able to use in speaking "~s Spanish"
4: to indicate by other than verbal means
5. archaic: describe, depict -- speak.able adj -- to speak of : worthy of mention or notice--usu. used in negative constructions