spi:k v. (past spoke;
past part. spoken) 1 intr.
make articulate verbal utterances in an
ordinary (not singing)
voice. 2 tr. a utter (words). b make
known or
communicate (one's
opinion,
the truth, etc.) in
this way (never speaks sense). 3 intr. a (foll. by
to, with) hold a
conversation (spoke to
him for an
hour; spoke
with them about their work). b (foll. by of)
mention in
writing etc. (speaks of it in
his novel). c (foll. by for) articulate the feelings of (another
person etc.) in
speech or writing (speaks for
our generation). 4 intr. (foll. by to) a
address; converse with (a person etc.). b speak in
confirmation of or with
reference to (spoke to the
resolution; can speak to his innocence). c colloq.
reprove (spoke to them about their lateness). 5 intr. make a speech
before an
audience etc. (spoke for an hour on the
topic;
has a
good speaking voice). 6 tr.
use or be
able to use (a specified language) (cannot speak French). 7 intr. (of a
gun, a
musical instrument, etc.) make a
sound. 8 intr. (usu. foll. by to)
poet. communicate
feeling etc., affect,
touch (the
sunset spoke to her). 9 intr. (of a hound) bark. 10 tr. hail
and hold
communication with (a ship). 11 tr.
archaic a (of
conduct etc.)
show (a person) to be (his conduct speaks him generous). b be
evidence of (the
loud laugh speaks the
vacant mind). ønot (or nothing) to speak of
not (or nothing)
worth mentioning;
practically not (or nothing). speak for
itself need no supporting evidence. speak for
oneself 1
give one's
own opinions. 2 not
presume to speak for others. speak one's
mind speak bluntly or
frankly. speak
out speak loudly or freely, give one's opinion. speak up = speak out. speak volumes (of a
fact etc.) be
very significant. speak volumes (or well etc.) for 1 be
abundant evidence
of. 2
place in a
favourable light. øøspeakable adj. [OE sprecan, later specan]