[speech] n [ME speche, fr. OE spraec, spaec; akin to OE sprecan to speak--more at speak] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words b: exchange of spoken words: conversation
2. a: something that is spoken: utterance b: a usu. public discourse: address 3 a: language, dialect b: an individual manner or style of speaking
4: the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking