— speechlessly , adv. — speechlessness , n.
/speech"lis/ , adj.
1. temporarily deprived of speech by strong emotion, physical weakness, exhaustion, etc.: speechless with alarm.
2. characterized by absence or loss of speech: speechless joy.
3. lacking the faculty of speech; dumb.
4. not expressed in speech or words: speechless compliments.
5. refraining from speech.
[ bef. 1000; ME specheles, OE spaecleas. See SPEECH, -LESS ]
Syn. 1. dumfounded, shocked, mute. See dumb. 3. silent, mute.
Ant. 1-3. loquacious, voluble, talkative.