speaking

speaking
—speakingly, adv. —speakingness, n.
/spee"king/, n.
1. the act, utterance, or discourse of a person who speaks.
2. speakings, literary works composed for recitation, as ancient bardic poetry; oral literature.
adj.
3. that speaks.
4. used in, suited to, or involving speaking or talking: the speaking voice.
5. of or pertaining 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.
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,
a. 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.
b. 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.
[1200-50; ME; see SPEAK, -ING1, -ING2]

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Speaking — Speak ing, a. 1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube. [1913 Webster] 2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. [1913 Webster] {A speaking acquaintance}, a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • speaking — speak·ing adj: addressing matters not set forth in the pleadings a speaking demurrer a speaking motion Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. speaking …   Law dictionary

  • speaking — [spē′kiŋ] adj. 1. that speaks or seems to speak; expressive; eloquent; vivid [a speaking likeness] 2. used in or for speech 3. allowing or admitting of speech [within speaking range] n. 1. the act or art of a person who speaks 2. that which is… …   English World dictionary

  • speaking — ► ADJECTIVE 1) used for or engaged in speech. 2) able to communicate in a specified language. ● on speaking terms Cf. ↑on speaking terms …   English terms dictionary

  • speaking of — spoken phrase used for introducing something new that you are going to say relating to a subject that someone has just mentioned Speaking of money, have we paid our credit card bills yet? Thesaurus: ways of adding extra informationsynonym… …   Useful english dictionary

  • speaking as — (someone) with the experience of this type of person. What would you like to see happen, speaking as a someone who has lived in the area for a long time? …   New idioms dictionary

  • speaking of — (something) related to the subject being discussed. Casey is at a birthday party – speaking of birthdays, Abe s is Friday. Usage notes: used to introduce a slightly different subject …   New idioms dictionary

  • Speaking — Speak ing, n. 1. The act of uttering words. [1913 Webster] 2. Public declamation; oratory. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • speaking — [[t]spi͟ːkɪŋ[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT: oft supp N Speaking is the activity of giving speeches and talks. It would also train women union members in public speaking and decision making... His work schedule still includes speaking engagements and other… …   English dictionary

  • speaking — n. & adj. n. the act or an instance of uttering words etc. adj. 1 that speaks; capable of articulate speech. 2 (of a portrait) lifelike; true to its subject (a speaking likeness). 3 (in comb.) speaking or capable of speaking a specified foreign… …   Useful english dictionary

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