I. ˈsā, Southern also ˈse verb
( said ˈsed, especially when subject follows səd ; say·ing ˈsā-iŋ ; says ˈsez, sometimes ˈsāz, especially when subject follows səz)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English secgan; akin to Old High German sagēn to say, Lithuanian sakyti, Greek en nepein to speak, tell
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to express in words : state
b. : to state as opinion or belief : declare
2.
a. : utter , pronounce
b. : recite , repeat
say your prayers
3.
a. : indicate , show
the clock say s five minutes after twelve
b. : to give expression to : communicate
a glance that said all that was necessary
4. : suppose , assume
let's say you're right
intransitive verb
: to express oneself : speak
• say·er ˈsā-ər, ˈser noun
•
- say uncle
- that is to say
- to say nothing of
II. noun
( plural says ˈsāz, Southern also ˈsez)
Date: 1571
1. archaic : something that is said : statement
2. : an expression of opinion
had my say
3. : a right or power to influence action or decision ; especially : the authority to make final decisions
III. adverb
Etymology: from imperative of say (I)
Date: circa 1596
1. : about , approximately
the property is worth, say , four million dollars
2. : for example : as
if we compress any gas, say oxygen