Speak
WordNet

verb


(1)   Express in speech
"She talks a lot of nonsense"
"This depressed patient does not verbalize"
(2)   Exchange thoughts; talk with
"We often talk business"
"Actions talk louder than words"
(3)   Use language
"The baby talks already"
"The prisoner won't speak"
"They speak a strange dialect"
(4)   Give a speech to
"The chairman addressed the board of trustees"
(5)   Make a characteristic or natural sound
"The drums spoke"
WiktionaryText

Etymology


spēcan, from earlier sprēcan, cf. German sprechen, Dutch spreken.

Verb



  1. To communicate with one's voice, to say words out loud.
    I was so surprised I couldn't speak.
    You're speaking too fast.
  2. To have a conversation.
    It's been ages since we've spoken.
  3. To communicate or converse by some means other than orally, such as writing or facial expressions.
    He spoke of it in his diary
    Speak to me only with your eyes.
    I just spoke with them on IRC.
    Actions speak louder than words.
  4. To deliver a message to a group; to deliver a speech.
    This evening I shall speak on the topic of correct English usage.
  5. To be able to communicate in a language.
    He speaks Mandarin fluently.
  6. To utter.
    I was so surprised that I couldn't speak a word.
    • 1611, Authorized King James Version (Bible translation), Jeremiah 9:5:
      And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Noun



  1. language, jargon, or terminology used uniquely in a particular environment or group.
    Corporate speak; IT speak
 
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