say 1
— sayer , n.
/say/ , v. , said, saying , adv., n., interj.
v.t.
1. to utter or pronounce; speak: What did you say? I said "Hello!"
2. to express in words; state; declare; word: Say it clearly and simply. It's hard to know how to say this tactfully.
3. to state as an opinion or judgment: I say her plan is the better one.
4. to be certain, precise, or assured about; determine: It is hard to say what is wrong.
5. to recite or repeat: to say one's prayers.
6. to report or allege; maintain: People say he will resign.
7. to express (a message, viewpoint, etc.), as through a literary or other artistic medium: a writer with something to say.
8. to indicate or show: What does your watch say?
9. to assume as a hypothesis or estimate: Let's say, for the sake of argument, that it's true.
v.i.
10. to speak; declare; express an opinion.
11. that is to say , that is what is meant; in other words: I believe his account of the story, that is to say, I have no reason to doubt it.
adv.
12. approximately; about: It's, say, 14 feet long.
13. for example: If you serve, say tuna fish and potato chips, it will cost much less.
n.
14. what a person says or has to say.
15. the right or opportunity to speak, decide, or exercise influence: to have one's say in choosing the candidate.
16. a turn to say something: It is now my say.
interj.
17. (used to express surprise, get attention, etc.)
[ bef. 900; ME seyen, seggen, OE secgan; c. D zeggen, G sagen, ON segja; akin to SAW 3 ]
say 2
/say/ , v.t., n. Brit. Dial.
assay.
[ 1350-1400; ME sayen, aph. var. of assayen to ASSAY ]
say 3
/say/ , n.
a thin silk or woolen fabric similar to serge, much used in the 16th century.
[ 1250-1300; ME saie saga, pl. of sagum woolen cloak, said to be ]