Speaking

noun
1.
the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.
2.
speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.
adjective
3.
that speaks.
4.
used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking:
the speaking voice.
5.
of or relating to declamation.
6.
giving information as if by speech:
a speaking proof of a thing.
7.
highly expressive:
speaking eyes.
8.
lifelike:
a speaking likeness.
Idioms
9.
not on speaking terms, not or no longer in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication, as because of resentment or estrangement:
They had a squabble during the holidays, and now they’re not on speaking terms.
10.
on speaking terms,

in a relationship close enough for or limited to friendly superficialities:
I don’t know the hosts well, but we are certainly on speaking terms.
in a relationship of open, willing, or ready communication:
Now that the debt has been settled, I hope you and your partner are on speaking terms again.

verb (used without object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spoken or (Archaic) spoke; speaking.
1.
to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice; talk:
He was too ill to speak.
2.
to communicate vocally; mention:
to speak to a person about various matters.
3.
to converse:
She spoke with him for an hour.
4.
to deliver an address, discourse, etc.:
to speak at a meeting.
5.
to make a statement in written or printed words.
6.
to communicate, signify, or disclose by any means; convey significance.
7.
Phonetics. to produce sounds or audible sequences of individual or concatenated sounds of a language, especially through phonation, amplification, and resonance, and through any of a variety of articulatory processes.
8.
(of a computer) to express data or other information audibly by means of an audio response unit.
9.
to emit a sound, as a musical instrument; make a noise or report.
10.
Chiefly British. (of dogs) to bark when ordered.
11.
Fox Hunting. (of a hound or pack) to bay on finding a scent.
verb (used with object), spoke or (Archaic) spake; spoken or (Archaic) spoke; speaking.
12.
to utter vocally and articulately:
to speak words of praise.
13.
to express or make known with the voice:
to speak the truth.
14.
to declare in writing or printing, or by any means of communication.
15.
to make known, indicate, or reveal.
16.
to use, or be able to use, in oral utterance, as a language:
to speak French.
17.
(of a computer) to express or make known (data, prompts, etc.) by means of an audio response unit.
18.
Nautical. to communicate with (a passing vessel) at sea, as by voice or signal:
We spoke a whaler on the fourth day at sea.
19.
Archaic. to speak to or with.
Verb phrases
20.
speak for,

to intercede for or recommend; speak in behalf of.
to express or articulate the views of; represent.
to choose or prefer; have reserved for oneself:
This item is already spoken for.

21.
speak out, to express one’s opinion openly and unreservedly:
He was not afraid to speak out when it was something he believed in strongly.
Idioms
22.
so to speak, to use a manner of speaking; figuratively speaking:
We still don’t have our heads above water, so to speak.
23.
speak by the book, to say with great authority or precision:
I can’t speak by the book, but I know this is wrong.
24.
speak well for, to be an indication or reflection of (something commendable); testify admirably to:
Her manners speak well for her upbringing.
25.
to speak of, worth mentioning:
The country has no mineral resources to speak of.
adjective
1.
(prenominal) eloquent, impressive, or striking
2.

able to speak
(in combination) able to speak a particular language: French-speaking

verb speaks, speaking, spoke, spoken
1.
to make (verbal utterances); utter (words)
2.
to communicate or express (something) in or as if in words: I speak the truth
3.
(intransitive) to deliver a speech, discourse, etc
4.
(transitive) to know how to talk in (a language or dialect): he does not speak German
5.
(intransitive) to make a characteristic sound: the clock spoke
6.
(intransitive) (of dogs, esp hounds used in hunting) to give tongue; bark
7.
(transitive) (nautical) to hail and converse or communicate with (another vessel) at sea
8.
(intransitive) (of a musical instrument) to produce a sound
9.
(intransitive) foll by for. to be a representative or advocate (of): he speaks for all the members
10.
on speaking terms, on good terms; friendly
11.
so to speak, in a manner of speaking; as it were
12.
speak one’s mind, to express one’s opinions frankly and plainly
13.
to speak of, of a significant or worthwhile nature: we have had no support to speak of