chambers_search-1

Search Chambers

Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

  



Search Tips & Abbreviations

Search results for 'spoke':

speak verb (spoke or (old use) spake , spoken , speaking). 1 tr & intr a to utter words in an ordinary voice, as opposed to shouting, singing, screaming, etc; b to talk • speaks a load of rubbish. 2 intrans to have a conversation • We speak on the phone every night. 3 intrans to deliver a speech • spoke on the subject of rising urban crime. 4 to communicate, or be able to communicate, in (a particular language) • He speaks French fluently. 5 intrans to convey meaning • Actions speak louder than words. combining form, forming nouns talk or jargon of the specified kind • consultantspeak • luvviespeak • doublespeak. speakable adj. be on speaking terms see under speaking. so to speak in a way; as it were • had a bit of a tiff, so to speak. speak for itself to have an obvious meaning; to need no further explanation or comment. speak for oneself 1 to give one's own opinion or opinions. 2 to exclude others from what one is saying, referring to, etc. speak for yourself an expression that is used by someone who wants to be disassociated from what has just been said or from the implications of it • Speak for yourself! I'm not going into that dive. speak one's mind to say what one thinks boldly, defiantly, without restraint, etc. speak ill of someone or something to criticize them or it; to blacken their or its name • Don't speak ill of the dead. speak the same language see under language. speak the truth to tell no lies. speak volumes to be or act as a significant factor • The fact that he lied speaks volumes. to speak of usually with negatives worth mentioning, considering, etc • received no education to speak of. speak well or highly of (someone or something) to admire them or it.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon specan.

speak about something 1 to discuss it. 2 to put it forward, or think of it as a possibility, often without any further action, etc being taken • had often spoken about working abroad.

speak about someone or something to gossip about them.

speak for 1 to give an opinion on behalf of (another or others). 2 to articulate in either spoken or written words the commonly held feelings, beliefs, views, opinions, etc of (others) • Kurt Cobain's lyrics speak for the twentysomethings.

speak of someone or something 1 to make mention of or refer to them or it, especially casually, tentatively, etc • spoke of going to London for a few days. 2 to explore or discuss, eg in a piece of writing or other non-verbal medium • Heaney's poetry often speaks of the insecurities the poet goes through.

speak out 1 to speak openly; to state one's views forcefully. 2 to speak more loudly.

speak to someone 1 to have a conversation with them. 2 to reprimand them. 3 to be meaningful to them • That painting really speaks to me.

speak up intrans 1 to speak more loudly. 2 to make something known • If you've any objections, speak up now.

speak up for someone or something 1 to vouch for or defend them or it. 2 to represent them or it.

speak with someone to talk to them.

spoke1 past tense of speak

spoke2 noun 1 any of the radiating rods or bars that fan out from the hub of a wheel and attach it to the the rim. 2 any of the radial handles that project from the wheel for steering a ship, etc. 3 a rung of a ladder. verb (spoked, spoking) to fit with a spoke or spokes. spoked adj. put a spoke in someone's wheel to upset their plans, especially intentionally or maliciously.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon spaca.