n. & adj.
--n. the act or an instance of uttering words etc.
--adj.
1. that speaks; capable of articulate speech.
2 (of a portrait) lifelike; true to its subject (a speaking likeness).
3 (in comb.) speaking or capable of speaking a specified foreign language (French-speaking).
4 with a reference or from a point of view specified (roughly speaking; professionally speaking).
Phrases and idioms:
on speaking terms (foll. by with)
1. slightly acquainted.
2 on friendly terms.
speaking acquaintance
1. a person one knows slightly.
2 this degree of familiarity. speaking clock Brit. a telephone service giving the correct time in words. speaking-trumpet hist. an instrument for making the voice carry. speaking-tube a tube for conveying the voice from one room, building, etc., to another.