SPEAK, v.i. pret. spoke, [spake, nearly, obs.] pp. spoke, spoken. It is easy to see that the root of this word is allied to that of beak peak, pick.] 1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts bywords. Children learn to speak at an early age. The organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak. Speak, Lord , for thy servant hearth. I Sam. 3.2. To utter a speech, discourse or harangue; to utter thoughts in a public assembly. A man may be well informed on a subject, and yet to diffident to speak in public. Many of the nobility make them selves popular by speaking in parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty.3. To talk; to express opinions; to dispute. An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when the knave is not.4. To discourse; to make mention of. Lucan speaks of a part of Cesar's army that came to him from the Leman lake. The Scripture speaks only of those to whom it speaks.5. To give sound. Make all your trumpets speak.
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