- say
-
say1
—sayer, n.v.t.1. to utter or pronounce; speak: What did you say? I said "Hello!"2. to express in words; state; declare; word: Say it clearly and simply. It's hard to know how to say this tactfully.3. to state as an opinion or judgment: I say her plan is the better one.4. to be certain, precise, or assured about; determine: It is hard to say what is wrong.5. to recite or repeat: to say one's prayers.6. to report or allege; maintain: People say he will resign.7. to express (a message, viewpoint, etc.), as through a literary or other artistic medium: a writer with something to say.8. to indicate or show: What does your watch say?9. to assume as a hypothesis or estimate: Let's say, for the sake of argument, that it's true.v.i.10. to speak; declare; express an opinion.11. that is to say, that is what is meant; in other words: I believe his account of the story, that is to say, I have no reason to doubt it.adv.12. approximately; about: It's, say, 14 feet long.13. for example: If you serve, say tuna fish and potato chips, it will cost much less.n.14. what a person says or has to say.15. the right or opportunity to speak, decide, or exercise influence: to have one's say in choosing the candidate.16. a turn to say something: It is now my say.17. (used to express surprise, get attention, etc.)[bef. 900; ME seyen, seggen, OE secgan; c. D zeggen, G sagen, ON segja; akin to SAW3]say2/say/, v.t., n. Brit. Dial.assay.[1350-1400; ME sayen, aph. var. of assayen to ASSAY]say3/say/, n.a thin silk or woolen fabric similar to serge, much used in the 16th century.[1250-1300; ME < OF saie < L saga, pl. of sagum woolen cloak, said to be < Gaulish]
* * *
Universalium. 2010.