DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Spake archaic imp. of Speak.
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Speak v. i. [imp. Spoke (Spake Archaic); p. p. Spoken (Spoke, Obs. or Colloq.); p. pr. & vb. n. Speaking.]
1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak.
Till at the last spake in this manner. --Chaucer.
Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. --1 Sam. iii. 9.
2. To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse.
That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak. --Boyle.
An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. --Shak.
During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history. --Macaulay.
3. To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally.
Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty. --Clarendon.
4. To discourse; to make mention; to tell.
Lycan speaks of a part of Caesar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake. --Addison.
5. To give sound; to sound.
Make all our trumpets speak. --Shak.
6. To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will.
Thine eye begins to speak. --Shak.
To speak of, to take account of, to make mention of. --Robynson (More's Utopia).
To speak out, to speak loudly and distinctly; also, to speak unreservedly.
To speak well for, to commend; to be favorable to.
To speak with, to converse with. “Would you speak with me?” --Shak.
Syn: -- To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter.