Middle English Dictionary Entry
spēken v.
Entry Info
Forms | spēken v. Also spek(e, spekon, speak(e, speck(e(n, speche(n, speiken, spieke(n, spake, (N) spec & (early) spece(n, specan, specon, specæn, spæ(c)ken, spæcan, (SWM) speoken & (early infl.) spekene, specene, specane, (SWM) speokene & (?error) specende, (errors) spke, skeke. Forms: sg.1 spēke, etc. & (early) spēca, specce; sg.2 spēkest, etc. & spēke, spēxt(e, spēxst, spēcth, spēkt, (early) spæcst; sg.3 spēketh, etc. & spēkth, spēk(k)et, spēkiȝt, spēcth, spēchut, (early) spēked, spēcað, spæcð & (error) spekyrus; pl. spēken, etc. & spēki, (early) spēket, spēcon, spēcað, spēcæð, spǣkæð, spǣcæð, (sbj.) spēca; p. spēk(e, spēc, spōke, spā̆k(e, spā̆kke, spack(e, spā̆c & (early) spēked, spæc(e, (Orm.) spæke, (?error) space; pl. spēk(e(n, spēked, spieke, spōke(n, spāk(e(n, spākun, (N) spāce & (early) spēcað, spēcon, spǣken, spǣcen, spǣcon, spǣcan; ppl. spēke(n, spōk(e(n(e, spōkun, spāk(e. Contractions: spekestou, spekstu (spekest thou). |
Etymology | OE specan (var. of sprecan, Merc. spreocan), p. spæc, pl. spǣcon, spēcon, ppl. specen. Forms in -ō- in the p., p.pl., and p.ppl. are by analogy with the corresponding forms of class 4 strong verbs bēren, brēken, etc., derived from the -o- of the OE p.ppl. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ispeken v., sprecen v.
1a.
(a) To have or use the power of speech; of a person, the mouth, tongue: speak, articulate words; -- also used of the soul, dead bones, the dust of the dead in fig. context; of a bird, an animal: have the ability to talk like human beings, speak in human language; also, imitate human speech [quot. c1390, 1st]; ~ bi mouth (tonges), speak through (someone else's) mouth; ~ in slep, talk in (one's) sleep; ~ mis (wel), speak amiss (eloquently); ~ with trecherous tonge, speak treacherously; ~ with wordes (mid speches); ppl. spekinge as adj., of tongues: speaking [quot. a1225(c1200), 1st]; (b) with ref. to a specific occasion or circumstance: to say something, speak up, speak out; also, begin to speak [quot. ?c1475]; speak in reply, answer [quot. c1300(?c1225)]; predict [quot. a1425(c1385)]; ~ al holwe, speak in a hollow voice; ~ (as) for, speak as a representative of (sb.), speak as spokesman for; ~ ayen, give answer, reply; ~ on loude, speak loudly; ~ oute, speak up, speak out; (c) with ind.obj. or to, on, til, toward, unto: to address words to (sb., God, an animal, etc.), speak to, talk to; also, with ind.obj. and inf. clause of purpose: speak (to sb. in order to do sth.); ~ either to other, talk to each other; ~ to..bi thought, speak to (Christ) in one's mind; (d) to make a formal address, speak publicly, address an assembly of persons; ~ abrode; (e) to advise; -- used in clause of manner with as; (f) ppl. phrase as adj.: spekinge faire, faire spekinge, faire spoken, wel spekinge, wel spoken, well-spoken, smooth of tongue, eloquent; -- also used of birds [quot. ?a1425]; wel spoken in english, fluent in the English language; gret spekinge, magniloquent; pertli spekinge, clear in speech; (g) in parenthetical inf. phrases: as for to ~ proprelie, strictly speaking, properly speaking; as to ~ in commune, commonly speaking; for to ~ al plaine, to speak plainly; to ~ naturalli, as far as nature is concerned; to ~ shorte and plaine, to speak briefly and plainly; (h) with phrases of manner or comparison introduced by ~ as (so so): to speak in the manner of (a fool, whore, etc.), chatter like (a magpie); also, with clause of manner: speak as (one says); ~ as lordli as a king; (i) in selected phrases: ~ and gon (gangen), gon (gangen) and ~, to walk and talk; also, fig. live, be alive; ~ or beren the lif, be alive, exist; gon and sen and ~ with mouth, live; never gangen ne ~, be dead; (j) fig. of the heart: to yearn; ~ with minde (soule), consider in (one's) mind (soul), ponder deeply; (k) ppl. spekinge as noun: a speaker, one who speaks; also, coll. ivel spekinge, revilers, backbiters; nought spekinge, infants.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)3/24 : Manegan is forgyfen þæt he specan mæg & swyðe feawen þæt heo syn gescadwise.
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)17/31 : Þisne læcecræft man sceal don þan manne..and he mæȝ specan sona.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Evang.(Bod 343)14/2 : Þu spæcst nu swytellice, leof.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Evang.(Bod 343)20/27 : Efne ðu spæcest nu swutellice.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/9 : Þæs deaden dust..to us cwæðon wolden, ȝif heo specen mihten, [etc.].
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/17 : Ða deade ban of þare buriȝnes specon ne maȝon.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)224 : Spacc he nohht wiþþ tunge.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)53 : Þis faȝe folc..speket alse feire bi-foren heore euencristene alse heo heom walde in to heore bosme puten.
- a1200(?OE) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)191 : Þe werse..secheð forte þat he open fint and diȝeliche smuhgð þer inne..at te muð ȝif hit open beoð to spekende [?read: spekenne] mis oðer on ete oðer on drinke to mis don.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)49/31 : He..is godes wisdom, ðurh hwam bieð alle wittes and ælle wisdomes and alle tungen spekinde.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)49/31 : He lai alswa ðat child ðe nan god ne cann, ne speken ne mai, ne isien.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)131/5 : Naure deuel ne mai hes ouercumen..mid naneskennes galnesse..ne mid unðeaufulle spaches specinde.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1282 : Þu miȝt wite readliche Þat eauere þu spekest gideliche.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)113 : Gon on fote, ne speke wit mouþe.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)543 : Crist..makede to go Þe halte and þe doumbe speken.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2827 : Aaron ðin broðer can wel speken.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)60/5 : To þan belongeþ þe zenne of ham þet zechiþ spekemen..be huas mouþe hi spekeþ.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.101 : Hym is ȝiuen leue to speken aloude.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)108.2 : Hij spaken to me wyþ trecherous tunge.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)19 : For spakly speke it couþe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.65.14 : My mouth spac in my tribulacioun.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.132 : Now hadde this Phebus in his hous a crowe Which in a cage he fostred..And taughte it speke as men teche a iay.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4071 : For thilke tyme as I haue vnderstonde Beestes and briddes koude speke and synge.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.622 : Men mai finde..Hou that thei spieke in many wise.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5197 : Þat first for eild moght noght spek [Göt: spec].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24074 : Es na tung mai speke wit word.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)283 : Selde she spaak, and nouȝth loude, And so don wymmen þat ben proude.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.565 : Wel he wist, as fer as tonges spaken, Ther nas a man of gretter hardinesse Thanne he.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)117a/b : Þerfore comaunde þe pacient þat he rest & þat he speke not.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)146/17 : Þe feend spekiþ by her tongis, for to lette deuoute preyeris.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)167/7,11 : As þe mouþ spekeþ wiþ þe tonge þat is in þe mouþ..riȝt so a soule spekeþ wiþ þe tonge of holy contynuel preyer.
- a1450 Chauliac(4) (Cai 336/725)7/5 : To axe of a leche sikirnes how þe pacient schal fare, fariþ as who-so axid eloquence of him þat may not speke for stuttynge.
- a1450 Mandev.(3) (BodeMus 116)101/25 : They spekyn not but grontyn as swyn don here.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)98/13,15 : For hym þat spekyth in his slepe, Take aueroyne..and it schall benemyn hym spekynge in hys slepe.
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)52/37 : Oure Lord..made the defe to here, the dumbe to speke, the blynd to see.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)27a/b : It is openly knowen þat þilke men þat lacken her teeþ speken sumdel vnparfiȝtly.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.21 : Alle þat spekyn wel & don euele ben fals witnessys.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)2657 : A foule carein is þe body oon Þat speke ne meue noght ne may.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)11460 : A dombe beest..Þat day shal speke aȝeinst kynde.
- a1500 St.Brendan Conf.(Lamb 541)18/320 : Wiþ my tunge I haue spoke ydili.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.Nicod.(Vsp D.14)80/20 : Wyteð þæt ge riht specan beo Israele bearnen.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)108/16 : Ða imong þæt heo þus speken þa com þær færinge swiðe beorht ȝenip.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)19/141 : Þe keiser bistarede hire wiþ swiðe steap ehnen hwil þet ha spec þus.
- c1225 SWard (Roy 17.A.27)40/373 : Eiðer of ow haueð his stunde to speokene.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)261 : Bo nu stille & lat me speke.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)34 : Iosep þe ȝunge bigan to speke.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)11/171 : Horn..spak for hem alle..He was þe faireste & of wit þe beste.
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)482/53 : For nouȝht þou spext so.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)25/15 : Wy spekestou so sympelliche as þou adrad were?
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)4605 : Menskful madame, mekes alle ȝour peple, þat non spend no speche til i speke haue.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1833 : I speke as for my suster Emelye..Ye woot yourself she may nat wedden two Atones.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4261 : He creep anoon And caughte hym by the nekke and softe he spak [vr. spakke].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.2358 : Thei..hem avise And ate laste..acorde..A kniht schal speke for hem alle.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)201/7 : Hit is for nouȝt þat þow spexte.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)341 : Þis moveþ pore preestis to speke now herteli in þis mater.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.962 : But it shal naught byfallen as ye speke.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)26/23 : Drede þe not, but speke boldly in my name in þe name of Ihesu, for þei arn no leesyngys.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)834 : Þar crapis [Dub: carpes] to þe kyng a knyȝt..& on loude speches.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)118a : To speke..Infio.
- c1480 *Medulla (Pep 2002)70a : Effamino: to skeke [read: speke] ovte.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.51 : The pore man askyȝt..the ryche spekyȝt aȝen wol harde.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)102/66 : He spekys on lowde, with a grym bere.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)115/14 : My suster Feith..spacke furst afore me.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)440-41 : He spake all hol ow, as hit had be oon Had spoke in another world þat had woo begoon.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)94/10 : For þan þe þonne we us gebiddað, we specað to Gode.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)62/7 : We witen þæt Moyses spæc to þone Almihtiȝa Gode.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)8657 : Ta ȝet space [?read: spacc] þuss hire to Helyas þe prophete.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)9 : Þo spec þat bodi so dimme to þe drery gaste.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)553-4 : Ich wille speke to ward þe Al so þu speke toward me.
- c1275 Ken.Serm.(LdMisc 471)214/13 : Þere hi speken to herodes and hym askede wer was se king of gyus þet was i bore.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)13184 : Þo answerede Wawein þan caiser þat spac to him.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3400 : Ðo cam ietro to moysen To speken him and ðo kinnes-men.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)4568 : To þe lutel folc þat he adde he spac atte laste.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.184 : He þat spaak to me had a ȝerd of a rede of gold.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1535 : Spek to me spakli or i spille sone.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9187 : Þey sette hem vpp and spak apert To þe parysshe prest, syre Robert.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11964 : I der noght til him speke.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)6836 : To pilgrimis and to vncouþe speke ham faire wiþ þi mouþe.
- (a1402) Trev.Dial.MC (Hrl 1900)7/7 : Take hede how þei spekiþ eiþer to oþer.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1457 : Spek thow thiself also to Troilus On my byhalve, and prey hym with us dyne.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)332/4846 : Þan at evyn comes þe axes..& in þe axes haldys þe eyene closyd..ne he oppyns anys þe eyne bod if he be called or spokyn to.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)17/29 : Þan schalt þow ly stylle & speke to me be thowt.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)54.28 : Sire, Ryht welcome forsothe ȝe be, longe haue I desired ȝow to speken & se.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)5790 : Gret schame to hire schal be whanne þou to hire spekyst of swich degre.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)139/44 : What arte þou..Þus in my slepe þat spekis me till?
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.42 : So come a mon ryding him bye, And speke on him fulle hastely.
- (1461) Paston2.236 : I haue ben at Framelyngham and spake Richard Sothwell to hafe hes advice in this mater.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)47/122 : Fadyr, speke on to me.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)140 : Who spake to þe, foll?
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)1666 : Balaam..smot hys asse..and spak to hir.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)48/2 : O holy prophete Dauid, thou sawest wele this abusi o n..whanne thou spackest to suche as vsurpin the saintuarye of God.
- a1500 RSicily (Cmb Ff.2.38)315 : Kyng Roberde..lowde on hym..began to speke.
d
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12337 : Þa a þan ueorðe dæie þe king gon to spekene.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)5.55 : Mamea, Alisaundre þe emperour his modir, desirede to heere Origenes speke.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.953 : Þis was þe speche..Eueryche to other..In euery strete..Somme rovnyng & somme spak a-brood.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1915 : First of alle spekeþ Menelay, With angry chere, & seyde..To han a pes it was nat his entent.
- c1450 Royal SSecr.(Roy 18.A.7)13/27 : This worthi lord hath þus reportid and spokene.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)101/15 : Quintus Orcencius..sette his studie as moche in goodly mevyng of his body..whan he spake as he did in his fayir outeraunce of langage.
e
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.537 : If thou woldest take kepe And wisly cowthest warde and kepe Thin yhe and Ere as I have spoke.
- c1475 Abbrev.Trip.SSecr.(UC 85)306/2 : I pray the to doo as the philosophre hathe spoken [Lambeth: sayen].
f
- ?c1400 Sloane SSecr.(Sln 213)12/38 : Who þat has a grete voyce and wele souned, he es batus and eloquent, þat es to say, pertly spekynge.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.11.4 : The Lord destrie alle gileful lippis and the greet spekynge tunge.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1268 : By hir wente a knyght dauncyng That worthy was and wel spekyng [F biaus parliers].
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)157/10 : Certeyn men..kepen bryddes, as Ostrycches, Gerfacouns..Popyngayes wel spekynge and briddes syngynge.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)42/14 : But the louere, be a persone malicious and wele-spekinge, dede so moche that the keperes consentid to yeue him his loue.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)394/2 : When þis chylde was waxen, he was fayr & semely & wele-spoken.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)15/3 : He was noted þorw-oute Itaile a fayr-spoke man.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)65/1 : He [Valentinian] was..fayre-spokyn, but he spak but seldam.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)118a : Spekeand fayr: Eloquens.
- (1476) Paston1.600 : He is well spokyn jn Inglyshe, metly well in Frenshe, and verry parfite in Flemyshe.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.275 : Men schuldyn..seruyn God..with mout wel-spekynge, in preyer, preisyng & worchepynge of God.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)56/5 : It semes a kyng..þat he be fair spekand.
- a1500 Bod.EMisc.Lapid.(BodEMisc e.558)29/196 : That stone..makith a man faire spekyng & amyabill.
g
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.790 : This is the poynt, to speken short and pleyn, That ech of yow, to shorte with oure weye..shal telle tales tweye.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2574 : Sikerly, as for to speke proprely, we may do no thyng but oonly swich thyng as we may do rightfully.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.219 : Thanne sawe they ther inne swich difficultee By wey of reson, for to speke al playn, By cause that ther was swich diuersitee Bitwene hir bothe lawes.
- c1415 Chaucer CT.Kn.(Corp-O 198)A.2681 : For wommen, as to speken in comune, Thei folwen all þe fauour of fortune.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)30/32 : Sonys, ȝe arn, to spekyn naturaly, The ffyrstffrute of kendely engendrure.
h
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)126/5 : Þu spæce swa swa an stunt wif.
- a1300 Louerd crist ich (Jes-O 29)15 : As oþer childre þu eodest and speke.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)774 : Þov spext ase a fol.
- c1300 SLeg.Lucy (Hrl 2277)85 : Þu spext as an hore strong.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.103 : And I seiȝ anoþer beeste come vp of þe erþe & had tweie hornes as it were of þe Lombe & spaak [F parlot] als a dragoun.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Job 2.10 : As oon of the fool wymmen thou speeke [L locuta es].
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.3900 : He gan to speke as lordly as a kyng.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)65/3 : Þat it spak as a dragoun is þat her prechinge schal be to disseyue oþire, as þe eddre disseyued Eue.
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.165 : It is a foul þing þat prestis speken as pies.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)21.244 : Ȝit spekist thow As A trewe Manne.
- ?c1450(?c1390) ?Chaucer Merc.B.(Benson-Robinson)31 : I do no fors, I speke right as I mene.
i
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)708 : Of men & wimmen..þat goþ & seoþ & spekeþ wiþ muþe Ne buþ so faire in here gladnesse, So hi were in here sorinesse.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1028 : Ich þe swere..No in erþe þi bodi reke Þerwhiles y may gon and speke.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)117/390 : On þe ihews he tok slike wreke Þat sum might nower gang ne speke.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5824 : For man that spekith or berith the lyf And blameth youre emprise..hath she this man in dispite.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)12247 : Scho..bare A sun..and kepyt yt warly..To tyme þat it couth speke and gang.
- a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Antichr.(Pen 399)509/518 : Have I not, sithe I cam hym froo, made the dede to speke and goo?
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)2637 : No might ne hath þe body Of him-self sikerly To speke ne go ne noght to do.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)2533 : In thre yeres after a childe can speke & goo, Then is our stone more colorynge allso.
j
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Eccl.2.15 : I seide in myn herte..what to me profiteþ þat more besynesse I ȝaf to wisdam? & spoken with my mynde [WB(2): Y spak with my soule], I tooc heede.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)274/24 : Oftetymes among sich vanyte her herte spekeþ and þinkeþ vnordynatly, euere desirynge moore and moore.
k
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2821 : Quo made domme, and quo specande?
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.7.89 : He herde a voys off spekynge [WB(2): the vois of God spekynge; L vocem loquentis] to hym fro þe propiciatorie.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.43.17 : Fro þe vois of reproof puttinge & euele spekinge [L obloquentis].
- a1425(c1384) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Ezek.2.1 : Y herde a vois of the spekynge [WB(2): a spekere].
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)8.3 : Ex ore infancium & lactencium perfecisti laudem..Of the mouth of noght spekand and sowkand thou has made louynge.
1b.
With selected prep. phrases describing manner of speaking: (a) ~ after min fantasie, to speak capriciously; ~ in amphibologies, ~ on bi-spelle (bi-spelles), speak in ambiguities or parables; ~ in devein (vein), speak in vain, speak idly; ~ in general, speak generally; ~ in gise, speak in (one's) usual way; ~ in hastinesse (a spede), speak hastily; ~ in herte and (through) herte, speak deceitfully, dissemble; ~ in large, speak at length; (b) ~ in preterit voice of past understandinge, to speak in the past tense; ~ o (in) sele, speak in good humor; ~ in short sentences, speak in brief, pithy language; ~ in terme (al bi clergie), speak learnedly; ~ in-to time, speak quickly; (c) ~ in his nose (thurgh the nose), to speak nasally; ~ with a mek voice; (d) ~ with dreri mod and sorweful chere, to speak sadly; ~ with heigh corage, speak boldly; ~ with onde (passioun of anger), speak angrily; (e) ~ in crist, to speak as the body of Christ.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Evang.(Bod 343)12/26-7 : Ic spæc to eow on biȝspelle; ac nu bið þe timæ þæt ic on biȝspelle eow to ne spæce, ac ic cyðe eow swytellice bi þam soðan Fæder.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)30/15 : He wolde oft spæcæn on deopum biȝspellum to his discipulis.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ps.11.3 : Treccherous lippis in herte & herte speeken.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.190 : I speke after my fantasye.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1406 : Goddes speken in amphibologies.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)399 : The tersel egle..shal first..speken in his gyse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.446 : I meene to speke in generall And noon estat syngulerly depraue.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)360/40 : To spille hym we spake in a speede.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)127a/b : Þei speken in deveyn and þei answeren whanne þei ben not askid.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)118a : To Speke in vayn: Cornicare, Vaniloqui, Corniculari, Effutire, effutitare.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)11.2 : Swikill lippes, in hert and thurgh hert thai spake.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)189/90 : Yit shuld thou lett her for to speke in large; ffor where masters ar mett, Chylder wordys ar not to charge.
- a1500 Almyȝty godde conserue (Trin-C O.9.38)17 : Meny mane spekyth yn hastenys.
b
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)953 : He mihte bet speken asele [Jes-O: i sele] Þan mid wraþþe wordes deale.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.311 : Seyde I nat wel? I kan nat speke in terme.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)28/18 : Alle such brekyn oute if it happe hem for to speke in tyme of here meditacioun in such short sentences.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)53a/a : He is fatt of body and dulle of wittis; he spekiþ not into tyme but his resoun is longe a comynge.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)107/240 : Yee speke all by clerge, I here by your clause.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)120/157 : He shulde have sayd tho wordes in tyme present; and that had ben more accordaunt to the everlasting present than to have spoke in preterit voice of passed understanding.
c
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.61 : Were it wyn or old or moisty ale That he hath dronke, he speketh in his nose.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4151 : Ful pale he was for dronken and noght reed; He yexeth and he speketh thurgh the nose.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)107/10 : Whan þou shalt speke, speke with a meke voyce, with a glad chere, with quietnesse of spirit.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)26a/a : A man spekiþ in his nose whanne þese holis ben sumwhat stoppid.
d
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)3 : Þo spec þæ gost wid drery mod & wid serruful chere.
- a1275 *Body & S.(4) (Trin-C B.14.39)17 : Þat bodi spac wid onde in sunne þer hid lay hud.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)105/5 : He spake with passioun of angir.
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)148/20 : She..spake with an high corage and reprevid them of their ydill slewthe.
e
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.12.19 : Bifore God in Crist we speken.
1c.
With selected prep. phrases denoting content of what is spoken: (a) ~ ayen(es, to speak things contrary to (Holy Writ); ~ bi (of, umbe, etc.), talk about (sb. or sth.), make verbal mention of, tell of; give a verbal description of (sb.); -- also in parenthetical inf. phrases; ~ of cold roste, fig. divulge information too late for use; ~ of mani what, speak of this and that; ~ to..bi (of), ~ til..of, etc., speak to (sb.) about (sb. or sth.); ~ unto..of wikkednesse, speak reproof to (sb.) of (their) wickedness; (b) ~ of (bi), to give a verbal account of (an occurrence, event, a miracle), relate concerning; also, speak in remembrance of (sb., someone's deeds), recall in words; -- also in parenthetical inf. phrases; (c) heren ~ of (bi), to hear tell of (sb. or sth.), learn about (sb. or sth.) by report; (d) ~ bi (of, upon), to expound upon (sth.), explain about, speak of at length, discourse upon; ~ forth of; (e) ~ of, to hold a discussion of (sth.), debate about; ~ of..up and doun, have a thorough discussion of (sth.), discuss (sth.) from every angle; ~ with..of (o, umbe), talk with (sb.) about (sth.), discuss (sth.) with (sb.); ~ abouten pes, negotiate for a peace; as we speken nou of godnesse, as we now define goodness; (f) ~ of, to speak of (sb.) with regard to reputation or fame, comment on; also, gossip about (sb.); ~ faire of, speak flatteringly of (sb.); it was gretli spoken of, there was high praise of (sb.); also, in parenthetical inf. phrase: to ~ as of linage, to speak of lineage, as for lineage.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)3/30 : Spec ofter emb oðres mannes weldæden þone emb þine agene.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)29/27 : Beo þære gemeleaste spæc se witega mid cearigendre stæmne, þuss cweðende, [etc.].
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.2 Quadr.(Bod 343)50/2 : We wyllæð her specan feawum wordum be þam ðrym þingun.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.3 Dead (Bod 343)136/26 : Ofte dwolmen specon dusilice bi Criste.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)106/27 : Þe Hælend spec to his leorningcnihtæs bi domes dæȝe.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5602 : Þiss drædunng iss þatt rodetreo Þatt Crist himm sellf spacc offe.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)16260 : Þeȝȝ wenndenn þatt he spæke..Till hemm off þeȝȝre temmple.
- a1225(OE) Vsp.A.Hom.Init.Creat.(Vsp A.22)217 : Hit is wel swete of him to specene.
- a1250 Lofsong Louerde (Nero A.14)211 : For herþurh ich deie þet spec er of swuche þinge.
- a1300 A Mayde Cristes (Jes-O 29)169 : Hwat spekstu of eny stone?
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)69/45 : For nouȝt þou spext..þar-aboute; þou spillest þi brethþ.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)364/177 : Me specþ of mony stable heorte.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)720 : He..was fram heuen yfalle of whom y spac tofor ȝou alle.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)10/18 : Ualshede oþer lyesinges huanne he þet me spekþ of ne is naȝt present..þos byeþ ualse wytnesses.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2322 : William..seie breme burnes..brandissende wiþ gret bost & of þe beres speke.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2264 : Hercules..His love hath set on Eolen, And therof spieken alle men.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.837 : What spekestow of preambulacioun?
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)5587 : Þey spak of many what.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4231 : He to Darrie of hym spaak.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.131 : Pieres..wil nouȝt aȝein [vr. aȝeynes] holy writ speken.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4363 : She was..to speke of hardynes, Of wommen alle lady and maistresse.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.981 : For to speke of hire in specyal, Hire beaute to bithynken and hire youthe, It sit hire naught to ben celestial.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1366 : After this they spake of sondry thynges.
- (1448) Paston1.222 : Sche axyd me jf I had spokyn to my lady of þis forseyd matere.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)1314 : Thanne seide the justice to Merlyn tho, 'lo, here my modir, that thou spoke offen [read: offe; F sour] so.'
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)9649 : Of manye thinges they spooke.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)4271 : Walkyng homward, þei iangeld fast & speeke Of þe golde.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6695 : An vnycourne..is a beste Surquedous, Spook of in many straunge londe.
- a1475(a1450) Tourn.Tott.(Hrl 5396)136 : 'I vow to God,' quod Perkyn, 'þou spekis of cold rost!'
- c1475(a1400) Brut-1333 (Dc 323)3/6 : He spak vn-to hem of here wikkydnes.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)7230 : Thay supposit alle amys that of a temple spoken he had.
- c1450(1446) Nightingale (Clg A.2)3/29 : To speke of sleep, hit nedes most be had Vnto the norishing of euery creature.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)43 : He merveiled..that the messagers spoken of so grym and hidouse man.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)86 : Holde youre pees and speke neuyr more of that ye haue tolde vs.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)113 : Thou art the same Jhesu of whom Sathan oure prynce speketh.
b
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Nicod.(Bod 343)10/6 : He eft spæc bi his upstiȝe to heofenum.
- a1250 Wooing Lord (Tit D.18)281 : Mon spekes ofte of wundres and of selcuðes þat..hauen bifallen.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)595 : Heo stode and speken..Of vre louerdes aryste.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.985 : Shortly for to speken of this thyng, With Creon..He faught and slough hym.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)476 : He shal þee so awreke Þat alle men shullen þere-of speke.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4537 : The knyghtys tale reherseth..how this Duk..toward Thebes rood..And fynally, to spekyn of thys thing, with old Creon..how that he faught.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)584 : All Ynglandes here Sall speke of ȝour dedis.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)1375 : Alle þe men of þe cuntre Spake of þat miracle so hegh.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.36.22a : Summe men and wommen arn so tendre in here affeccion, þat whan þei here men speken..of his precious passion, here hertes melten in deuocion.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)648 : Grettir fame shuld him pursewe..Then al the londe of him wolde speke.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)127 : There we speken of the vertues that we sawe hym do.
c
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)88/29 : Heo [the soul] mæȝ on hire mode sceawiæn þonne heo hereð bi þam specæn.
- c1330(c1250) Floris (Auch)667 : Lordingges, of mochel honour ȝe han herd speken of Blauncheflour.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.1602 : She neuere erst hadde herd speke of apparence.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)78b/b : Þey haueþ wondirful sweuenes þat neuer men herde speke of tofore honde.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)113/18 : He herde speke of þe fairenesse of Estrilde.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)114/27 : Þe Kyng herde speke so miche of here beaute.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)11/11 : Many men has grete lyking..to here speke of straunge thinges.
- (1426-7) Paston1.8 : John Grys, hese sone, and hys man þere felonowsely slowen and mordered in þe most orrible wyse þat euer was herd spoken of in þat cuntre.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)22/12 : Þen schulde we þenke & knowe, when we seen or heren speke of any man, what so euere he be, good or yuel, Juwe or Sarasene.
- (1469) Paston1.549 : I her not spek of non othyr seruys of no lordys þat he shold be in.
- c1470 Bible F.(Cleve-W q091.92-C468)70/21 : Vaspasian herd speke of Seint Petir..and he sent for him.
- a1500 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Cai 174/95)p.513 : There byn full many in my contre That..neuyr ȝyt hard speke of me.
d
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)46/21 : Nu ne onhageð us na swyðer beo þan to specane.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2203 : Who moost felyngly speketh of loue..I now no mencioun.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.413 : In al this world ne was ther noon hym lyk To speke of phisik and of surgerye.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4666 : Spek forth, as ye begonne, Of Avarice upon mi schrifte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.665 : I began To speke upon Astronomie..To telle hou the planetes fare.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)4855 : Was..noon..so worthy of renoun To spekyn of philosophie Nor of profounde poetrie.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)41 : Off my loue to speke, yt ys myrable.
- a1500(?a1410) Lydg.CB (Lnsd 699)356-7 : The cherl deliteth to speke of ribaudye, The hunter to speek of venerye.
e
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)116/13 : Moyses & Helias..wið Drihten specon embe his þrowunge.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)1027 : Enngless comenn offte þær, & wiþþ þe bisscopp spækenn O Godess hallfe off maniȝwhatt.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)47/28 : For ði me þingþ þat is wisdom, ðat we alre ðinge arst speken of ðessere hali mihte.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)372 : He spoken þer-offe and chosen sone A riche man was under mone.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.243 : They speke of sondry hardyng of metal..And how and whanne it sholde yharded be.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24795 : His consail badd him..For to spek a-bute sum pais Bituix him and þe danais.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.432 : So longe of this they speken up and down, Til Troilus gan at the laste assente To rise.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1455 : Thus þei spake of holy wrytte, As þei þere togeder gan sytte.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)481 : Þese outward werkis..were in no wise good morali, as we speken now of godenes.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)1357 : Þay stode spekande of þis thynge.
- (?1454) Paston1.255 : I haue speke wyth John Damme of that ye bad me sey to hem to sey to Thomas Note.
- (1473) Paston1.588 : I meet non ofter wyth hym then I speek wyth hym of it.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)162 : Seyde the kniȝte..'I wolle dowble þe payment.' 'Naye,' seide the marchaunt, 'þat spake we not of.'
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)25 : After, the peple of the Countre assembleden and speken of Vortiger.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7880 : Þai spekon in spase of hor spede after.
f
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8738 : Edward was þe kinges sone þat me specþ of wide.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.71 : Ther with he was, to speke as of lynage [vr. speken of lynage], The gentileste yborn of Lumbardye.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)28424 : Glosed i haue and spoken fayre O men in tent to win o þair.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.707 : Pallamydes was a noble knyȝt, Ful famous..And fer spoke of in many sondri cost.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)11/24 : Thei spake of hym both farre and near.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)31/12 : So itt was gretly spoken of theym that faght the beste.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1046/16 : There be many men spekith of oure love in thys courte.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)388 : This man had..a sone and a doughter..and arayed hem Gayle, that his neghbores spaken therof.
2.
(a) To say (sth.), tell, give voice to; -- also used of thunder [quot. c1384]; declare (sth., one's love); also, with ind.obj. or to phrase: say (sth.) to (sb.), tell (sb. sth.); read out (a document) to (sb.) [quot. 1399]; quote (Scripture) to (sb.); ~ another lessoun, fig. say something quite different, sing another tune; ~ fals witnesse ayen, bear false witness against (sb.); ~ forth, say (sth.) openly; ~ hou gret it is, declare how great it is; ~ with mouth, say (sth.) aloud; more than it mai be spoken, more than can be said; (b) to tell (a tale, joke); chant (a song); (c) to utter (a word, words, lies, etc.); speak (a word or words about sb.); address (a word or words to sb. or a serpent); ~ oute wordes; ~ voice, make utterance, speak words; ~ word for, put in a word for (sb.) with respect to preferment; ~ a vileines word to, speak churlishly to (sb.); ~ a word of gret honour, speak respectfully; ~ wordes of lesinge, utter lying words; (d) to say (sth.) in reply, give (an answer, a reason); ~ resounes, state (one's) opinions; (e) in phrases with ref. to the scope of utterance: ~ excess of, to utter an excessive number of (slanders, lies, etc.); ~ feue, say a little; ~ lesse (thus) and more; ~ litel (wel lite); etc.; ~ more (muche, ought) of, say more (much, anything) about (sb. or sth.); ~ no (ani) more; ~ nought (ought); ~ to muchel; (f) ~ speche(s, to make a speech, statement, etc., say something; utter speech; ~ olde speche, repeat an old saying; (g) to assert (sth.), articulate (one's needs, one's opinion); with hou (hou that, that) clause: assert (how sth. did sth., that sb. did sth., etc.); heren ~, hear tell (that sb. did sth.); -- also without that [quot. c1405]; (h) refl. to praise oneself, boast of oneself; (i) ~ o pris, to call (sb.) excellent; also, with noun complement: ~ despisere, call (sb.) a despiser (of money); (j) to pronounce (a judgment); ~ dom with, pronounce a judgment against (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)62/18 : Bilewite cild..ne healt langsume ungeðwærnysse to þan þe hit derede, ne hit ne hyweð mid worden, þæt hit oðer þænce & oðer spece.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)116/9 : Hwæt specon heo to him?
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)118/18 : He..ne þohte hwæt he speke.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)13 : Ne spec þu aȝein þine nexta nane false witnesse.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)101/4 : Hlest hwat he speke mest and oftest.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)133/12 : Þenc þat arst þu eilest þe seluen, ȝif ðu misþencst, oððer spekest oððer dest auht oðerliker onȝeanes þin emcristen.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1536 : Al þat heo spekeþ, hit is him ille.
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)425 : We schullen iheren þe..What huy wolleþ speke.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)4086 : So glad ich am þat inot wat vor ioye speke.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4227 : To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride And ȝour diol to hem speke.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.8.8 : He spac to þe men of þat place lyke thyngis.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Apoc.10.4 : Marke what thinges the seuen thundres spaken [L locuta sunt], and nyle thou write hem.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2944 : How she swowned whan men made the fyr, Ne what she spak ne what was hir desir..I wol nat tellen.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.529 : Though it hir desplese, I speke it forth and noght ne leve.
- (1399) RParl.3.451b : They wist noght therof to it was shewed hem and spoken to hem in diverses places.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)39/477 : Sone..what spekest now?
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4814 : Ar hij comen to castel oiþer toun Hij shullen speken anoþere lessoun.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.37.4 : The bretheren..myȝten not to hym eny thing pesebli speken.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.3.138 : Not oonly to trowe that God is disseyved, but for to speke it with mouthe, it is a felonous synne.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)69/32 : He schulde schewe his greet loue, which may not be spoke.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)209/6 : For I loue moore þan it may be spoke.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)28/3 : Eyþyr þow hast þe Holy Gost or el lys þow hast a devyl wyth-in þe, for þat þu spekyst her to vs, it is Holy Wrytte.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)631 : Ofte it fals was þat I swoer or spak.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)33/141 : Iff I hadde spoken youe oughte to spill, Ye shulde haue taken gode tent þere tyll.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)105/1 : Ne yit speke not al þat þou knowist þough þei be good þingis.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)179/26 : They muste firste lerne a thyng or they speke it.
- c1475 *Mondeville (Wel 564)146a/b : Þo þat ben aboute þe pacient..schal not telle þe pacient al þing þat þe leche spekiþ to hem but if it mowe comforte þe pacient.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)64 : The hye worthynes of my loue..may be felt from experyens aboue But not spoke ne tolde as yt ys veryly.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)157/1 : Wythout on of þos v lettyrs þer may no man know what anoþyr spekeþe.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)188/36 : What Is that, that thou Spekyste?
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)6167 : Of alle þinges..Goddes mercy is þe moost, For no mouthe may speke..Ne herte þinke hou greet it is.
- a1500 St.Brendan Conf.(Lamb 541)13/194-5 : I..haue þouȝt, spoke, and doon þat I schulde not haue þouȝt, spoke, ne do.
b
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)97 : Ioseþ..spac þis tale.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23945 : [S]pell yeit i wald spek if i cuth.
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)19655 : Saul..lernid..Of spellis þat he siþin spac.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)11b/b : Cantus: a song spoken.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Say.Nightingale (Trin-C R.3.20)202 : Ageyns hering of tales speken in veyne I hade rebuyk and sayde no worde ageyne.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7517 : Thou spake a iape not longe a go..Of a yonge man that here repayred.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)67/29 : Ure Drihten wæs specende þyssen worden to his leorningcnihten.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)77/20 : Þa word þe ic to eow speca, ne speca ic heo fram me sylfen, ac min Fæder wunigende on me, he deð þa weorc.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.2 Quadr.(Bod 343)54/14 : Bi ælc ydele worde þe men specæð, heo sculen ȝylden ȝescead on domes dæȝe.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)120/13 : Sanctus Petrus þas word þus to Criste spec.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)101/15 : Ȝif ani cumþ..and is spekende sotwordes..none wunienge ne haue he mid ðe.
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)41/8 : Þe endlyfta eadmodnyssa stæpe is ȝif þe mynechena..lyþelice, buton hleahtre..feawe word & ȝerædelice speca.
- a1275 Judas (Trin-C B.14.39)2 : Ful milde were þe wordes he spec to iudas.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)35/602 : An hund him gan bihelde, Þat spac wordes belde.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)4030 : Ille liked ðanne balaac Euerilc word ðe prest balaam spac.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)57/83 : Þi word..ne deþ non oþer þat þou spexst þus to me, Bote horegeþ foule þe eir as it deþ þer inne fleo.
- a1350(c1307) Death Edw.I (Hrl 2253)46 : Þe pope him-self þe lettre redde, ant spec a word of gret honour: 'alas!' he seide, 'is Edward ded? of cristendome he ber þe flour!'
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2995 : Nis it bot hert breke..And foly ous to speke Ani worde oȝaines þe.
- c1330 Orfeo (Auch)29/324 : He biheld hir & sche him eke, Ac noiþer to oþer a word no speke.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)58/15 : Hi spekþ bisye wordes of ham.
- 1372 ME Verse in Grimestone PB (Adv 18.7.21)p.22 : Ȝif þu wilt nouth here, but spekt wordis manie and veyne, Betre þu were to han on ere and mouþes to haan tweyȝe.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.9.3 : Þe breþeren..spekyn of hym to alle þe men of Sichem alle þese woordis.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Is.59.13 : We conceyueden & speeken of herte woordis of lesing.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 26.25 : I speke out the wordus of treuthe and sobrenesse.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.606 : Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1268 : No vileyns word as yet to hym spak he.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)889 : Til þat worm þan drightin spak [Göt: spack] wordes bath o wrath and wrak.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)62/2 : To þe b eeste was ȝeuen mouþ & leue to speke..blasfemyes.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)124/10 : He wol ȝeue þe no leue to ride ne to go out of þi cloister..ne to speke ueine wordes.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)963 : Sho war na more hardy Swilk wordes to hyr at speke.
- ?a1425 Castle Love(4) (CotApp 7)77 : He þat comaundment so sone brak, Was none a gode worde for hym spak Tyll hys lord þe kyng.
- (1441-2) Let.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12132 : At your said beyng at Durham..yhe never spak worde for sir Alexander.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)183 : A word of anger spak he thore.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)26/12 : When sho spakk any wurd, hur ars began to syng.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)4/10-12 : An errour or heresye is not þe ynke writen, neiþir þe voice spokun, but it is þe meenyng or þe vndirstondyng of þe writer or speker signified bi þilk ynke writen or bi þilk voice spokun.
- a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Antichr.(Pen 399)505/418 : Why wylte thou not one wurde speke theym tyll?
- a1500 Almiȝti God maker (Cmb Kk.1.6)28 : I..mony a wylde word haue spooke.
- a1500 GRom.(Add 9066)59 : Thei speken many faire wordes, and all are false.
d
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)25/412 : Horn þo him biþoȝte What he speke miȝte.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.274 : Hise resons he spak ful solempnely, Sownynge alwey thencrees of his wynnyng.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)12289 : Ihesus helde him euer stille þat nane ansquare walde he speke.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.796 : But oones nyltow..tellen of thy sorwes smerte, Ne to thyn owen help don bysynesse As muche as speke a resoun moore or lesse.
e
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)5/10 : Swa mann mare specð, swa him læs manna gelefeð.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)11843 : Aniȝ mann uss eggeþþ To don ohht orr to spekenn ohht..off sinne.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)107/16 : He ne scal to michel bien spekende.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)4033 : Dor spac balaam mikel mor Of ðis folckes migt.
- a1325 SLeg.(Corp-C 145)9/21 : Þe oþer dawes wel lite he spak & wellite et also.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)226/15 : Þe yonge wyfmen wodewen..were ydele..and to moche spekinde.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.534 : And spak namoore, but out the child he hente.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19115 : Þe apostels spekand [Göt: speckand] þus and mar, þe preistes come.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)55/686 : Muche men speke of sir Priamus.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)231 : More she þouȝth þan she spaak.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)prol.111 : I can and can nauȝte of courte speke more.
- c1400 Hiȝt is a (Cmb Ii.3.8)p.69 : Hiȝt [soul] is a moter and spekket nouth.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.120 : He gan..his rancour shewe By certeyn signes, þouȝ he spak but fewe.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)305 : If þe childe spak les or mare..At þe first word sold he dy.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6103 : If I speke ought to peire her loos, Your court shal not so well be cloos.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)14/24 : Hali writ..sais þat naman may mikil speke bot yef þare be sinne i-mang.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)1871 : He..seiden ȝif they Spoken ony more, the same jewys scholden they han thore.
- a1450 Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)13/498 : He waxe sad; he spak litel.
- a1450 Aelred Inst.(2) (Bod 423)21/839 : Beholde now and se hou he stondeth as a meke lombe before the iuge, bowynge down his heed and his eyen, spekynge fewe, redy to suffre repreues and betynge.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)220/9 : Þi mowth..spak exces of slaundere, of othys, of dyspysynges, lesynges.
- c1475 Brm.Abraham (Brm)225 : My dere son Ysaac, speke no more.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)97 : They speke to no creature no more than and they wer dede.
f
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)132/32 : Þerinnæ nane spece ne spæken.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)23/387 : He spac faire speche.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)7144 : Vortigerne haxede his cnihtes wat were þe speche þat þe maide speke.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)2/33 : Sche incresyd in..deuocyon..of hy contemplacyon & of wonderful spechys..whech owr Lord spak.
- a1450(1401) For drede (Dgb 102)65 : Old speche is spoken ȝore.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)14604 : Þor sall I ryse all hale when all your speche is spokyn.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)60/39 : Þei schulden haue remorce in her conscience þat þei euer spake þilk speche.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8864 : His speche was spokyn.
g
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Nicod.(Bod 343)2/23 : We soðlice spækæð þæt þæt we ȝeare witen.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Nicod.(Bod 343)8/22 : We soðlice spæcæð þæt þæt we ȝeare witen.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Nicod.(Bod 343)10/20 : Þe an Hælend..mihte wæl swa spæcan..þæt he of heofene astah.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)12965 : He wollde beldenn hemm To spekenn þeȝȝre nede.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.3972 : He spak how fortune couered with a cloude I noot neuere what.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1520 : He seith that noman schal him wreke, Thogh afterward men hiere speke That he par aventure deie.
- c1405 Chaucer CT.SN.(Elsm)G.475 : I speke, as for my syde, We haten..thilke vice of pryde.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.86 : It..generaly was spoken That Calkas traitour fled was.
- ?a1430 ?Hoccl.Poems PS Compl.Virg.(Hnt HM 111)43 : O Womman, þat among the peple speek How þat the wombe blessid was þat beer..The sone of god..What seist thow now?
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)860 : Eche wye of þat werr schold his wille specke.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)69 : He herde spek that Jhesu dyd many merueyles.
h
- c1450(c1400) Vices & V.(2) (Hnt HM 147)57/25 : Þurgh boldnesse of here preisynges and crienge of nobeleies and douȝtynesse þei speken hemself wel þe hardiloker oueral where þey comen.
i
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12005 : Sum him loued and spack o [Trin-C: held of] prise, And sum him blamed þat war vnwis.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)538 : He maye be spoken in dyspens despysere of syluere, That no more of golde gyffes þan of grette stones.
j
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)4 Kings 25.6 : Þanne þei ladden þe taken kyng to þe king of babiloyne in reblatha, þe whiche spac with hym dome.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.36.30 : His tunge schal speke doom.
3a.
With abstract noun as obj.: (a) to speak (good, evil, wisdom, etc.), give utterance to (pride); ~ godcundhede, talk pious talk, speak piously; ~ right and red, speak righteousness and sense, give good advice; (b) ~ ayen (ayenes, onyen), to speak (evil, wickedness, etc.) against (sb., the soul, God); ~ bi (of), speak (evil, good, honor, wrong, etc.) of (sb. or sth.); ~ bountes and prouesse of, describe the merits of (sb.); ~ harm bihinden, ~ ivel baften, speak evil (harm) behind (sb., someone's back); ~ pes to (with), say peaceable things to (sb.), make peace with; ~ tresoun on, accuse (sb.) of treason; ~ vileinie to, speak rudely to (sb.); ~ wonder of, speak wonderingly of (sb.); ~ worship bi (of, on), speak respectfully of (sb.); (c) with ind.obj.: ~ harm (ivel, shame, vileinie), to speak ill of (sb.), slander (sb.), vilify, traduce; ~ god (honour, worship, etc.), speak good of (sb.), etc.; (d) ~ lesinge (lesinges, liinge), to utter falsehood, tell lies; ~ sothfastnesse in herte, fig. be truthful in (one's) heart; (e) in personification.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)125/20 : On twam wisen mæn synegieð on heora weleren; þæt is, gyf heo unriht specað oððe riht forswigeð.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)11/15 : Ðu luuedest euelnesse mare ðanne godnesse, unrihtwisnesse more to spekene ðanne rihtwisnesse.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)44/5 : Ful speche is as of leccherie & of oðre fulðen þet unweschene muðes speokeð oðerhwiles.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)396 : He spac boþe riȝt an red.
- ?c1250 PMor.(Eg 613(1))274 : Naddren and snaken, eueten and frude..tered and freteð þe [?read: þe þat] uuele speken [Jes-O: þat vuele spekeþ], þe nihtfulle, and þe prute.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)467 : He speken godcundhede, & wikke is here dede.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2818 : Ic am wanmol, vn-reken Of wurdes, and may ic Iuel speken.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)37.13 : Hij þat soȝten iuels to me speken uanites.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Is.9.17 : Eche mouþ spac folie.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.2.6 : We speken wysdom among perfyt men.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jude 2.16 : The mouth of hem spekith pride.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.772 : He spak moore harm than herte may bithynke.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)57.1 : Sothlik speke ye rightwisnes.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.183 : Wil he..ȝerne in-to ȝouthe and ȝepliche speke Pryde..and pakken hem togyderes.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)10/31 : Kepe ȝour tunge, it spke [read: speke] no scaþe, & ȝour lippis fra iuil.
- ?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174)302/23 : Þey spaken hire wickednesse & falones oppynly.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)60/6 : He makiþ a leesyng and..he spekiþ a foli.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)129/18 : Suppose rather þat þei speke good þan eville.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)10780 : He..deliteþ him comounlye To speke shame and vilanye.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)94/107 : Some men there ben that no goodnesse speken.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)76/5 : Eadige ge byð þone man eow weregað, & eower eht, & ælc yfel ongean eow specð, ligende, for me.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)18674 : Onnȝæn þatt laþe læredd follc Þatt spækenn wrang off Criste.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)11/8 : Ðu spake..bafte him euele, þat he it ne herde.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)74.5 : Ne willeþ nouȝt speke wickednes oȝains God.
- (c1380) Chaucer CT.SN.(Manly-Rickert)G.492 : Thilke wronges may I nat endure That thow spekest of oure goddes here.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.27.3 : Men..speken pes with ther neȝebore [NVPsalter: to neghburgh hisse], euelis forsothe in the hertis of hem.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.77.19 : Euele thei speken of God.
- c1390 In a Chirche (Vrn)68 : Þenne I rede þou rule þe so, Þat men may speke worschupe bi þe.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.740 : But, sires, to yow it is no curteisye To speken to an old man vileynye.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.34 : But of no nombre mencioun made he Of bigamye or of octogamye; Why sholde men thanne speke of it vileynye?
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.689 : It is an inpossible That any clerk wol speke good of wyues.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9212 : Alle þe worlde spake of hem wunder.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16495 : Iudas stode amang þe folk..'Þai..sal on me tresun spek oueral þis werld.'
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)108.19 : Þis mote be þe werke of þa..þat spekes iuels ma Again mi saule to do it wa.
- (?1406) Hoccl.MR (Hnt HM 111)218 : Al the world spekith of him honour.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1453 : I have herd hym..Speke of Cryseyde..honour.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ecclus.12.19 : He schal speke priuyli many yuels of thee.
- a1425 Dial.Reason & A.(Cmb Ii.6.39)27/12 : Enuye spekeþ of hym none ille.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)21140 : Arthur alosede alle landes þat tim, Spak bontes And pruesse of him.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)606 : Ne speke no harme be-hind þair bac.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)83/12 : Myssaying..is whan þou spekyst euyll of an-oþer mannys goodnesse.
- c1460 Ipom.(3) (Lngl 257)335/17 : He had herd..much worshipp spoken on him.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)580/7 : All knyghtes spekyth of hym worship.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)27.4 : The whilk spekis pees with thaire neghbure, bot illes in thaire hertis.
- a1500(a1450) Ashmole SSecr.(Ashm 396)40/16 : Yeve neuer to men occasion to speke ill by the.
c
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)13 : Ðat sixte is þat man eggeð his negebure to done oðer to speken him harm.
- ?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)216 : Leue me to ben I-wreken On him [who] þis shome me haueþ speken.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2390 : Princes..Speke him vuel & hated him.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2017 : Euery wight is fayn to speke hym good.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)20025 : I began hir louing [Trin-C: worshepe] spek.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.20 : Allas, that they sholde evere cause fynde To speke hire harm.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)4673 : For none wolde tell me of this Traytour, But speke hym worship and honour.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.229 : All þe world hym spekeþ vilanye.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)7167 : If he a lesinge on him lie..Or spekiþ him yuel behinde his bak..He dredeþ not God.
d
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)10/38 : Se þe specð leasunge, he sceal losigen sylf.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)82/29 : He..þa fordeþ ðe leasunȝæ specæð mid unleaffulnesse.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1532 : Hire twa sustren..ba somed læsinge speken.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)5.6 : Þou shalt lesin alle þat speken lesyng.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Tim.4.2 : In the laste tymes, summe schulen departe fro the feith, ȝyuynge tent to spiritis of errour, and..in ypocrisye spekinge lesyng [WB(2) vr. lesingis].
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)14.3 : Lauerd, in þi telde wha sal wone..Whilke þat incomes wemles..Þat spekes sothnes in hert his.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Eg 614)5.6 : Þou leses alle þat speke liyhinge.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Satan & P.(Corp-C 296)270 : God..schal dampne alle men þat speken lesyngis.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)43 : God schal tyne alle þoo þat spek lesyng.
e
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.336 : Pruyde..sente forth surquydous, his seriaunt of armes, And his spye spille-loue, one speke-yuel-byhynde.
3b.
With directly quoted speech, often with thus: (a) to say (certain specified words), speak; call out (certain specified words); also, with ind.obj. or to, til, or toward: speak (certain specified words) to (sb., a city); -- also refl.; ~ with, speak (certain specified words) with (sb.); (b) in phrases with seien or quethen: ~ and seien (quethen), to speak and say (certain specified words); ~ and seien to (unto), ~ to and seien, speak and say (certain specified words) to (sb., oneself, an animal).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)72/19 : Freolice he spæc her..'Hwa mihte openiȝan þa unsceapenæ eaȝen, [etc.].'
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)4114 : Þus þe cnihtes him spæken wið: 'King, Androgeus ȝeornneð þi grið.'
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)18/113 : He..feng on þus to speokene: 'Þi leor is, meiden, lufsum, [etc.].'
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)73 : Þenne spec olibrius..'of alle mine sergauns, gode nabbi none.'
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)421 : Þo spak a king..'ȝe habbeþ iherd, [etc.].'
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)79 : Þe man onswerede þat child, & þus he spac to him, 'Hi beþ in one felde, [etc.].'
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1758 : Ðus meðelike spac ðis em: 'Qui wore ðu fro me for-holen, [etc.].'
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1633 : Þo him spac an heye Merlin, 'Now herken king to tale min.'
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)38.5 : Ich spak wyþ my tunge, 'Make, Lord, knowen to me myn endyng.'
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ecclus.51.33 : I openede my mouþ & I spac: 'bieþ to ȝou without seluer wisdam.'
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)346 : Op stondes Iosaphe and þe fader sittes, Speek wiþ an heiȝ vois þat al þe folk herde, 'Nou þe greteþ, sir Euelak, God of israel.'
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.4022 : Aleyn spak first, 'al hayl, Symond, in fayth, How fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?'
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2918 : Word for woord þus hij spake: 'Alisaunder, þe stronge kyng, [etc.].'
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)438 : Þenne ros ho vp and..speke me towarde in þat space: 'Sir, fele here porchasez, [etc.].'
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)938 : Þat specyal spyce þen to me spakk, 'Þat is þe cyte þat þe Lombe con fonde.'
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)103 : Than shalle he twyes speke to his houndes in þis wise, 'Hors de couple, auaunt cy auaunt.'
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)11/7 : He spac til ure lauerd with muþe, 'Domine, non est, [etc.].'
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)638 : Bot than hym spake Gallerone to Gawayne þe gude: 'I wende no wy, [etc.].'
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.51 : Thenne speke Sir Amadace..'For Goddus luffe, lette suche wurdus be!'
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)148/54 : Danyel þe prophete þus gan speke: 'wyse god from woo us wreke, [etc.].'
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)928 : Syr Gyffroun gan to speke: 'Breng a schaft þat nell naȝt breke, A schaft wyth a cornall!'
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)1 : His wif..spake þerfore to a nigromauncer..'I woll wite if þou cowde helpe þat he were ded.'
b
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)8/9 : Ða spæc ðe cniht to dauid diȝlum, wordum, & þus cwæð, 'Ȝif ic þe wiste leof, [etc.].'
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)112 : Þanne spac þe Quene..& seyde to þe Kinge: 'Sire, mercy, [etc.].'
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 14.12 : Þe men speekyn fro þe stacyown to Jonathan & to his squyer & seidyn, 'steȝeth vp to vs, [etc.].'
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4596 : In al his drede vn to the fox he spak And seyde, 'sire, if that I were as ye, [etc.].'
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)216 : Þus þey spoken and þus þei seide: 'Here lyth swete Blaunchefloure.'
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)59/14 : In þat desier sche spak to hirsilf and seyde: 'Alas, my soule, [etc.].'
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)382 : Nature..In esy voys began to speke and seye, 'Foules, tak hed of my sentence, I preye.'
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)45/28 : Than spake Igrayne and seyde, 'I am a woman and I may nat fyght.'
- a1500 GRom.(Glo 42)781/22 : He spekyth to vs & sayth, 'Turne to me.'
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)60 : Than spake Nychodemus and seyde: 'Y haue spoken to the provostes.'
4.
(a) To converse, speak with one another; ~ hem bitwene, converse together, have a conversation; ~ mouth to mouth, speak face-to-face; ~ togeder, togeder (samen) ~; (b) ~ mid (with, with-al), to converse with (God, sb., an adder, etc.), communicate with; confer with (sb., a group of people); also fig. [quot. a1500(?a1450)]; also iron. [quot. c1330]; hold a conversation with (sb. in one's sleep); (c) to speak in audience; ~ with, speak in audience with (a monarch, high official); parley with (an adversary, opponent); (d) ~ mid (with), to discuss (sth.) with (sb.), talk (sth.) over with (God); ~ resoun with, hold speech with (sb.); ~ word with, have a word with (sb.); ben no more to ~ with, be no more to discuss with (sb.); ben spoken bitwene, of words: be exchanged between (persons); (e) to agree; agree on (a plan); promise (sth.), swear to (an agreement), affirm; make (a vow); also, with that clause: agree (that sb. do sth.); promise (that sb. will do sth.); ~ bitwixe them, agree on (a prohibition) mutually; ~ of, agree to (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1114 Chron.Dom.A.9 (Dom A.9)243 : Hig uneaðe specon mihton.
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)6/31 : Þa eode dauid in to moyse & heo spæcon heom þa betweonan.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3389 : Þa hirdess tokenn sone þuss To spekenn hemm bitwenenn.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1622 : Þe Scottene king & þe duk speken to-gaðere.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4991 : While we speki and makeþ tale He may lachi deþes bale.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.1456 : Thus..they lihe abedde and spieke [rime: sieke].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1611 : Thus thei spieke, The Consul bothe and Catoun eke, And seiden that for such a wrong Ther mai no peine be to strong.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)19176 : Þai suld samen speck.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1117 : Þay stoden & stemed & stylly speken.
- (c1442) Paston2.6 : I..thank ȝow of ȝowre grete labure that ȝe hade to me att Sparham the laste tyme that we spakun to-gydure.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)1797 : This xij..gonnen..to spekyn hem be-twene how that Fortager here kyng scholde bene.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)118a : To Speke..Sermocinari.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)1440 : Thei had to geder spoken soo.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)852 : If y shuld write I shulde my foialte breke, Therfore mowthe to mowthe I most nedis speke.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)116 : The prynce of helle and Sathan speekyn..to-gedre.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.Nicod.(Vsp D.14)80/1 : Heo sæden þæt heo þone Hælend þe onhangen wæs, gesegen on Galilea, & mid his cnihten æt, & wið heom spæc.
- ?a1160 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1140 : Henri þe kinges brother Stephnes spac wid Rodbert eorl.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.Quadr.(Bod 343)48/11 : Þonne spece we wið Gode.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)3062 : Þær he spacc Wiþþ Josæp.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1419 : He cuðe þene vuele craft, þat he wið þene Wurse [Otho: þan Feonde] spæc.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7365 : He wold spæcken heom wið.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Roy 17.A.27)83/733 : For þi ha seide hire luste swiðe ȝeorne speoken mit te meiden.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)36/12 : Eue wið ute dred spec wið þe neddre.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1553 : Ne mot non mon wiþ hire speke.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)19/329 : Ne spek [vr. Spak] ihc noȝt wiþ horn.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2027 : He wið hire ne wulde speken.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)210/4490 : Whan þai come to Londen gate, Mani man þai fonde þer ate..And made of hem so clene werk Þat þai neuer spek wiþ prest ne clerk.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)270 : He praide ȝou com speke wiþ him.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.3026 : Sche goth, and ther with Slep sche spak.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)2.187 : Spiceris speke wiþ hem to aspie here ware.
- a1425 Siege Troy(1) (LinI 150)122/1537 : He wolde haue speke [vr. spok] wiþ hire þare, Bote for hire freondis he dude spare.
- (1447) Shillingford20 : Y have speke with my felowship at home.
- (c1447) Let.Midylton in Lin.NQ 16202 : Clawworth may be ffounde or spokyn with all to declare hym myn entent..thow I wryght not to thys meny; yt ys a now that they be spokyn with all and comewnd with.
- a1450(?a1390) Mirk Fest.Suppl.(Cld A.2)293/22 : Þan þoght þis man to gone and spekon wyth þis chylde.
- (c1451) Paston1.33 : I spacke thys day wyth a man of Paston syde.
- (1461) Paston1.271 : The parson tolde me þat he had spook wyth Syr Wylliam Chambyrleyn.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)525 : To speke wyth Mankynde I wyll tary here.
- a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2)6847 : Here atte Castell gate with hir I spakke.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)4 : The flesh spekith with þe nigromancier, scil. þe devill..wherby þe spirit may be slayne.
- a1500 Bod.EMisc.Lapid.(BodEMisc e.558)26/115-16 : He that bereth hire [onyx] on his fynger and hangith here aboute his nekke, yif he woll speke with his frende that is dede, he shall speke with hym in the night in his slepe.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6890 : Heo..seiden þat heo walden speken wið þan kinge.
- c1330 Orfeo (Auch)13/138 : Fair kniȝtes..bad me comen an heiȝing & speke wiþ her lord þe kinge.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2911 : I prey yow lat me speke with youre aduersaries in pryuee place, for they shal nat knowe that it be of youre wyl or youre assent.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)24/24 : Þat is the manere to do reuerence to the soudaun of hem þat speken with him.
- (1447) Shillingford24 : My part was to spake with my lord Chaunceller.
- c1450 *Bk.Marchalsi (Hrl 6398)15a : An angel fro God..conseylid hym, þat he shold gon spekyn wyth Herod.
- c1453(c1437) Brut-1436 (Hrl 53)544/32 : He shuld come vnto Chestre savely and spek with the Duyk, and be delyuert savely ageyn to the said castell.
- (1461) Paston2.237 : He is advised to kepe it still vnto the tyme that he hath spoken with his Highnesse.
- c1475(a1400) Brut-1333 (Dc 323)3/5 : Dioclician sente for his xxxiij doughtres þat þei schulde come & speke with hym in his chambre.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)46 : Syr, goo vppon thys clothe and come speke wyth þe prynce.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4976 : Þai comyn to the kyng by course for to speike.
d
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)51 : Sume of þe wordes..weren speken bitwine two folkes.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)15/254 : Heo ne miȝte at borde Wiþ him speke no worde.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2963 : Moyses lerede god, spac him mide Al ðat is broðer aaron dede.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1233 : Now ȝe haue yfounden me Þat ȝou was hoten forto sle Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4342 : Ar i ga þou spek wit me a word or tua.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)226 : Gladly I wolde Se þat segg in syȝt, & with hym-self speke raysoun.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)679 : He walde nought speke a worde with me.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)85 : Ther is no more to speke with thee but oonliche to cite thee to assises of jugement.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)219/479 : I may noght now Many thyngys so soyn at this tyme speake with you.
e
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1178 : The pourpos was full take and spoke..Whil that the Cite was aslepe, Thei slowen al that was withinne.
- (1399) RParl.3.452a : It ware wele done withouten deth or any other thyng that thei myght noght honestly assent to no speke of.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)612 : He gaf it him..for to hald it wel vnbroken, þe forbot þat was be-tuix þam spoken.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1935 : I schal fylle vpon fyrst oure forwardez nouþe, Þat we spedly han spoken þer spared watz no drynk.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)17/17 : Þai ordeynede and speke bituene ham þat þai shulde departe þe reaune.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)1747 : He made hir þat to speke, That þei schuld hem neuer breke.
- c1475(a1400) Brut-1333 (Dc 323)2/1 : Dioclician þoughte maryen his Doughtres..and so they speken & dede, that Albyne..& alle here sustres richely were maryed.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)5244 : He harde you onys speke a vowe And prayes you well, to kepe it nowe.
- -?-(c1460) Depos.Ashby in Archaeol.46283 : It was spoken and devysed by the saide persones that the saide tombe of Quene Kateryne myghte be removed some dele lower.
5.
(a) To persuade, speak convincingly; argue; ~ after, argue according to (a received opinion); (b) to make an oral defense; with prep. phrase: ~ for, speak up for (sb., someone's rights, God's cause), defend (sb., oneself) verbally, argue on behalf of (sb.), plead for (sb.); ~ in thin ouen cause, speak in your own defense; ~ in excusinge, speak to defend (sb.); (c) to make a verbal request; ~ for, ask for (sth.), bespeak; ~ of, make mention of (sth.) by way of a request; also, with to and inf. or that clause: make a request to (sb. to do sth., that he do sth., etc.); (d) to make a verbal accusation or protest; ~ ayen (ayenes, onyen), speak against (sb. or sth., God), protest against, denounce; ~ to me, testify against me, accuse me; (e) ~ of, to make a suggestion of (sth.), propose (sth.); (f) to complain, grumble; (g) to plead in a court of law.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)127/22 : Heo swa rihtlice ætforen him ne spæcan, swa swa Job his þeign.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.818 : This lord..spak so that be weie of schrifte He drowh hem unto his covine.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)6/12 : It is honest ynouȝ a man to speke and write aftir oon of þo opyniouns.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)2 : How myght we haue a man of oure kynde that myght speke and haue oure connynge?
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Deeds 26.1 : It is suffrid to thee for to speke for thi silf.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)17295 : Twelue..for him space [rime: sake].
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)7.46 : He..spendeth his speche and spekeþ for þe pore.
- (1425) RParl.4.267b : My Lord of Warrewyk, Fadre to my Lord yat nowe is, for whos ryght I speke.
- c1430(c1395) Chaucer LGW Prol.(2) (Benson-Robinson)325 : He shal nat ryghtfully his yre wreke, Or he have herd the tother partye speke.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)167/35 : Owr Lord..steryng þe spiritys of tweyn good clerkys þe whech..had knowyn..al hir perfeccyon, made hem mythy & bolde to spekyn for hys party in excusyng þe seyd creatur, bothyn in þe pulpit & be-syden wher þei herd any-thyng meuyd a-ȝen hir.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)10/15 : If þou wilt be a trew religious womman, speke vnnethes in þin owne cause.
- a1500(c1380) Wycl.Papa (Ryl Eng 86)460 : Fewe men doren putte hem out to stonde & speke for goddis cause.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)46 : We prey the to calle hym a-for the and here hym speke.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)62 : Ys Pylat, the prynce that here ys, hys dyssyple, for be-cause that he speketh for hym.
c
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)5.130 : My wyf was a wynstere & wollene cloþ made, And spak to þe spynstere to spynnen it softe.
- (1402) Let.Zouche in RES 8 (PRO E 101/512/10)262 : I pray ȝow yat ȝe wyl ordeyne me a pype of whyte wyn as I spak to ȝow of.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)35/8 : Ȝe & ȝowr husbond spak to me for to ȝyfe ȝow þe mantyl & þe ryng.
- (1447) Shillingford11 : He..asked ayen if we wold..be recompensed..and spake of xl marke.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)38/32 : Herland, my swete frende..I haue spoken to the kyng that I wolle leve you as for lyeutenaunt.
- (1460) Paston (Gairdner)3.241 : I recomaunde me to you, besechyng you..that ye wol wechesafe to speeke to Richard Kowven that he myght..sende me the money.
- (1465) Paston1.322 : Item, I haue do spoke for yowr worstede, but ye may not haue it tylle Halowmesse.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.255 : Þe kyng seyde þat he hadde spokyn to Nabot to han hys vyneȝerd. (d)
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)125/22 : Job ne synegode on his weleren, for þan þe he dyselice ongean God ne spæc.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)944 : Ȝwane þe princes habbez i-sete..aȝen heom men spekez.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)118.23 : For princes seten and spoken oȝains me.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)1 Kings 12.3 : Speke ȝee to me beforn þe lord & beforn þe crist of hym, wheþer oxe of any man I tooc.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)108.2 : Þai spake againe me with tunge swikel.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.49.20 : Thou sittynge spakist aȝens thi brother.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)192 : Whoso spekyth aȝeyn þe Werd, In a presun he schal be sperd.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.7 : Euer he spak aȝeyn his tyrannye.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)48 : The Jewes spake gretly a-yenst hem that helde hem.
e
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4621 : Home in-to Grece with-outen recompense? Þei wold seme it were a necligence. Speke nat þer-of, for it wil nat be.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)79/27 : If I knewe that it liked you, I wold speke of a mariage betwen you and hym.
f
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)30 : A gret folye me thinketh Whan ye gon thus grucchinge of my yiftes and spekinge and murmuringe.
g
- a1325 Rwl.Statutes (Rwl B.520)1:52/38 : At wuche daie, ȝif he ne comez noȝt, ant he be openeliche icleoped enes, tuuies, þries, ant te cleopihinge iwitnessed, passe forth þe iugement for þe plaintif, saue þe riȝt of þe defendur, ȝif he after comez ant wolle þerof speke [L loqui; F parler].
6.
(a) To preach, teach; ~ after (up) god, preach according to God's will or word; ~ ayen laue, preach or teach things contrary to the Jewish law; ~ of (up), preach about (God, Christ, doctrine, etc.), speak edifyingly of; -- also used of the tongue; also, make mention of (sb.) in a sermon; ~ of min (another) spirit, preach at the prompting of my (another) spirit; ~ to, preach to (sb.), direct one's instruction to; (b) to proclaim (the word of God, God's wisdom, the marvels of God), articulate (religious teachings), speak (mysteries); also, proclaim (how sb. should do sth.); ~ godes cause, preach God's cause; (c) to pray aloud; say (a specified prayer); also, pray silently [last quot.]; (d) to prophesy; also, prophesy (sth.), foretell; utter (a prophecy); ~ in prophecie; ~ of, prophesy about (sb.); ~ of (bi) the mouth of the lord, utter prophecy which comes from the mouth of the Lord.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15987 : Crist ȝaff hise þosstless [read: posstless]..witt & wissdom dep inoh To spekenn..Off all þatt tatt iss god.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)89 : Þe apostles speken to þes folkes igederunge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6315 : Þa bi-gon he lar-spæl, & of gode spæc swide wel.
- c1300 SLeg.Fran.(1) (LdMisc 108)207 : He spechut al vpe godes word.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1301 : He by-gan at Galilee..aȝen oure lawe to speke.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.14.3 : He that prophecieth, spekith to men, to edificacioun.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.11.17 : That that I speke, I speke not vp [WB(2): aftir] God [L secundum Deum], but as into vnwysdom.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.111 : Crist..spak to hem that wolde lyue parfitly.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Deeds 4.18 : Thei..denounsiden to hem that..thei schulden speke, nether teche, in the name of Jhesu.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 17.19 : Maye we knowe þis newe doctrine þat þow spekes of?
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)7/23 : The Erle had gret ioye to her hym speke of Ihesu Criste.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)38/11 : He spekith him-selue of hem in þe sermone.
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)44/14 : Þi tonge..now spekith of god and of heuenly þinges.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)6 : Crist seiþ, 'he þat heriþ ȝow, heriþ me, and he þat dispiciþ ȝow dispiseþ me, þat is, wan ȝe spek of my spirit; But not so wan ȝe spek of a noþer spirit.'
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)25/30 : Crist spake þere of þre moral loues in general.
- a1500 Rule Minoresses (Bod 585)83/25 : Thanne a..sustre in þe Abbey be ordeyned..for to speke to hem in feruent deuocioun.
b
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1032 : Aperteliche þi lore Þou spext now lo, and ne seist by-tales namore.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.2.7 : We speken the wysdom of God that is hid in mysterie, or priuyte.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Cor.14.2 : Sothli the spirit spekith mysteries.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)52/13 : Sche wente not fro þe temple, seruinge God wiþ fastinges and preyer niȝt and dai, spekinge to alle þat abiden Crist hou þei schulde loue him.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Deeds 4.31 : Alle weren fillid with the Hooli Goost, and spaken the word of God with trist.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)238/3 : Ȝiff þou shame to speke þi Goddes cause for plezaunce of þe worlde, Crist will make þe shamed.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.34.21a : Þei weren fulfillid of þe holi gost, and þei biginmin [read: biginnin] to speken þe grete merueils of god.
c
- a1350 St.Marina (Hrl 2253)215 : Þis monkes..byðsohten iesu for loue of marine delyueren hire of þilke pyne; Whil heo þer aboute speke, anon riht hire bondes breke.
- ?a1430 ?Hoccl.Poems PS Compl.Virg.(Hnt HM 111)161 : Thow Caluarie..to thee speke Y.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)5/2 : I schal speke to my Lord, I þat am but poudir & asches.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)9/23 : We to þe myȝtful Lord of heuen in oure preier speke.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)209/18 : Falle þou into þi preier y-callid in latyn Pater noster, and speke þou it to god.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.204 : Preyere..may be don with herte alone withoutyn voys of þe mouth..for we fyndyn..þat Anne spac in here herte to God & spac with byttere terys, and..þer herde no man here voys.
d
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1603 : A prophete spak of oure lord longe byffore þis dede.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Par.36.12 : He dide euyl in þe eeȝyn of þe lord his god, ne he shamede þe face of Jeremye þe prophete, spekinge to hym of [WB(2): bi] þe mouth of þe lord.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9196 : Þat time was prophet Ieremi Spekand in his propheci.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)11616 : Þen come þe propheci alle clere þat spokin was of þat childe dere.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)179/19 : Nowe sum men spekis of a swayne, Howe he schall come.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)297 : A child is born in som lond, As haþ ben spoken in prophecie.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)4903 : Þe palme is redy token Al þe prophecye þat euer was spoken.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)147/26 : Balaam spak in prophesye.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)164/50 : Now þe dede xal be-gynne whiche hath be spokyn be prophecye.
- a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Antichr.(Pen 399)492/17 : Off me wos spokyn in prophecye off Moyses, Davyd, and Ysaye.
- a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Antichr.(Pen 399)495/118 : The prophet Sophonye spekis of me full wytturlye.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)2 : So longe haue thei spoken of hym, that now is he comen.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)269/355 : It is his will..to thole this payn..As prophetys beforn of hym spake.
7.
Of God, Christ, the Holy Ghost, a heavenly voice, an angel, etc.: (a) to speak from heaven; ~ in revelacioun to, ~ in visioun to (til), speak in a vision to (sb.); (b) ~ bi (in, oute of, thurgh), to communicate through (sb., a prophet, the voice of angels, a psalm, etc.); ~ mid, communicate by means of (works and wonders); ~ to..in prophetes (the sone), communicate with (sb.) by means of the prophets (the Son); (c) to say (sth., certain specified words); say (that one will do sth.); ~ and seien (quethen); ~ domes with, pronounce judgment against (sb.); ~ hestes (wil), state his commandments (will); ~ ivels upon, call down evils upon (sb.); ~ word, impart the gospel; ~ a word of love to, speak lovingly to (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(OE) Bod.Aelfric OT (Bod 343)26/252 : Þe heofenlice fæder ilome to him spæc for his myclan leafan.
- a1275 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39)266 : Meidan maregrete, þi louerd hat speke wid þe.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1753 : God in sweuene spac him to.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)98.7 : He spake to hem in a piler of a cloude.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ps.88.20 : Thanne thou speeke in viseoun [WB(2): spakist in reuelacioun] to thi seintis.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Esd.9.13 : Þou came doun & speeke to hem fro heuene.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Is.1.2 : Heereþ ȝe heuenes..for þe lord spac.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)227/28 : A vois fro God spak to þee.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)47/32-3 : Rygth as I spak to Seynt Bryde, ryte so I speke to þe.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)74/111 : I am..the same god þat som tyme spak Vn-to thyne elders.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.50.34b : Þanne schalt þou heren þi lord speken to þe.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)88.19 : Than thou spak in vysyon til thi halighis.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)22/5 : Angeles..speken godely and louyngly to pore schephordes.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)53/38 : God leynyd hym to a stegh And spake to me.
- 1591(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hnt HM 2)238/208 : Moyses disciples binne wee, for God with him did speake.
b
- c1175(OE) Bod.Aelfric OT (Bod 343)31/383 : Þe heofenlice God þa spæc mid weorcum & mid wundrum heom to.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)59/21 : Þe hali gast spekð ðurh Dauið ðe profiete.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)61/7 : Ðe halie gast..spekð ȝiet alche dai ðurh ðene selm.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)85/32 : Hier of spekð godd ðurh ðe profiete.
- c1225 Nic.Creed (Jun 121)5 : Ic ileue on þene holi gost...he spæc þurh witeȝen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)3 Kings 8.53 : Þou speeke bi Moisen, þi seruaunt.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Zech.1.13 : The Lord answerde to the aungel that spac in me.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Heb.1.1 : Manyfold and many maners sum tyme God spekinge to fadris in [WB(2): bi] prophetis, at the laste in thes daies spak to vs in [WB(2): bi] the Sone.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)218 : Nou I be-seche þe, Ihesu, as þou art ful of Ioye, Þat speke to hem of Israel þorw Moyses speche.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19415 : Þe hali spirit vte of him [Göt: thoru him; Trin-C: in him] spak.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)2 Cor.13.3 : Whether ȝe seken the preef of that Crist that spekith in me?
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)217/26 : He xulde beleuyn it is God þat spekith in þe & no deuyl.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)226 : Feendis han spoke in men and wommen.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)7/6 : Forþi spekiþ God þoruȝ þe prophete to suche þat preyen wiþ synnes.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)6 : Crist spekiþ in me, and he þat dispiciþ our teching dispiciþ not man, but God þat ȝaf his Holy Gost in vs.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.295 : God..spac to hem opynlyche be voys of angelis.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)2.219 : Iacob..fenyyd hym to ben Esau, but in Goddis doom it was no fenyyng of falshed but figure schewid be þe holy gost þat spac in hym & warc in hym.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)120/19 : God spæc to anen witege, he wæs Jonas gehaten, 'Far to þære byrig Niniuen, & bode þære þas word þe ic þe secge.'
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)77/4 : Johannes se godspellere awrat hu se Hælend spæc to his leorningcnihten & cwæð, 'Ne beo eower heorte gedrefed.'
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Evang.(Bod 343)12/8 : Þa word..he spæc on þissere worulde.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)109/27 : Ðus spak godd to Abrahame: Exi de terra tua, et cetera.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)117/3 : Ða spac almihti godd and sade: 'Ðies dai haueð aure ibien mid me and æure ma wurð.'
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)925 : After ðis spac god to abram: 'Ðin berg and tin werger ic ham.'
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2913 : He dat bodewurd spoken.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3202 : Gon woren vij score ger Siden iosep was doluen der, And xxiij score fro ðan Ðat god it spac wid abraham.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)4 Kings 14.27 : Þe lord spac not þat he schulde don awei þe name of israel fro vnder heuene.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Jer.1.16 : I shal speke þi domes [L loquar iudicia] with hem.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Bar.2.7 : Þe lord spac vp on vs alle þese euelis.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)38 : Þenne spekes a vois to Ioseph, was Ihesu crist himselue, 'Iosep, marke on þe treo, [etc.].'
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1757 : Quen he his wil had with him spoken, He self þe dore þan has he stoken.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)64/20 : Þis techiþ wel þe Holi Gost in þe Sauter, where he seiþ þus: 'Takeþ hede..to mi lawe..In ensamples I shal speke þe hestis fro þe bigynninge of þe lawe.'
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)4203 : God spak til þas thre cites þos, Als þe godspelle here shewes us: 'Ve tibi, [etc.].'
- ?c1430(?1383) Wycl.Curse (Corp-C 296)312 : Many þinges..God spac not in þe olde lawe.
- a1450(1412) Glade in god þis (Dgb 102)27 : God spak to hem a word of loue.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)53/10 : Our Lorde by the mouth of the wise man spacke, 'Lette theym witte that sette His doctrine at nought.'
8.
(a) To speak (in a certain language); ~ after the tonge of peple and peple, speak the language of various peoples; ~ azotites maner (bi the speche of azotus), speak in the language of the Azotites; ~ jeuli (saxonli), speak Hebrew (Saxon); ~ mid al (misliche) speches, speak in different tongues; ~ with tonges of men and of aungeles; (b) to speak (a language, a specified language, languages); ~ a wordes feue in latin, speak a little Latin; ~ mannes speche, speak human language; ~ no word but latin, speak only Latin; ~ patroillart, speak pidgin; ~ sone in haste, speak (a language) fluently; also, in parenthetical inf. phrase: to ~ plaine english, to speak plainly.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)89 : Heo weren þa alle ifullede mid þan halie gast and on-gunnen to speoken mid mislichen spechen.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)93 : Cristes apostlas weren specende mid alle spechen.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Esd.15.24 : Þe sones of hem of þe half partie speeken azotites maner [WB(2): spaken half part bi the speche of Azotus].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Esd.15.24 : Þei cowþen not speken jewly [WB(2): speke bi the speche of Jewis].
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)2 Esd.15.24 : Þei speeken after þe tunge of puple & of puple.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.159 : Þe Flemmynges..haueþ i-left her straunge speche and spekeþ Saxonliche i-now.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)prol.129 : An angel of heuene Lowed to speke in latyn.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)187/2 : I speke wiþ tonges of men and of angelis.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)199/18 : 'Diliges Deum tuum'..þese wordes..I haue taken to speke in Latyn.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)282/10 : When ȝe spekyth yn Englysche, þen ȝe knowen and vndyrstondyn wele what ȝe sayn.
- a1500 Let.Alex.(Wor F.172)404 : Thow shalt see ther ii trees, oon of the sonne, another of the Moone, spekyng to the in ynde and greeke tunge.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)19751 : Alle spækenn sone anan Þe spæche off alle þede.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.Pentec.(Lamb 487)89 : Hi spechen ure speche on þan þet we akenned weren.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)79/1368 : We schulle þe hundes teche To speken vre speche.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)7539 : Þe normans ne couþe speke þo bote hor owe speche, & speke french.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)211/4 : He spekþ to god patroyllart ase þe ilke þet spekþ half englis and half urenss.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.345 : After þat men speked many langages at Nemprot his tour.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.638 : Whan that he wel dronken hadde the wyn, Thanne wolde he speke no word but Latyn.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.344 : In Latyn I speke a wordes fewe.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)79/25 : Þouȝ a man kunne speke muche Walsch, he is neuer þe grettur clerk but he kepe Godis hestis.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)253/3082 : Wha sa meltys or makys an ymage in þe oure of Saturne, when Saturn rysys, it sall spek mannis spech.
- c1425 Castle Love(2) (Eg 927)854 : When thei wer thus fulfilled of the haligast, Thai couth wele al langage and speke hit sone in hast.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)2.3360 : Giges..To speke pleyn Inglissh, made hym a cokold.
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)16/20 : Þouȝ I couþe speke alle langages of men & of aungeles..I am nouȝt worþ.
- c1450 Mandev.(4) (CovCRO Acc.325/1)1355 : Euery man spake dyuers langage, And God such chaunce amonge hem sent That noo man wist what oþere ment.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.159 : Churles..laborede to speke Frenche with alle theire myȝhte.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)58/26 : Mydrydates..spake xxij langages.
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)6581 : Þanne byhoueþ him..In herte nedely haue mynde Of þe speche þat Adam spak..Þat is Ebrew.
9.
Used with ref. to the characteristic sounds of birds and natural phenomena: (a) of a starling: to cry; (b) of thunder: to resound; make (its sound) resound; also, express (sth.) in its sound.
Associated quotations
a
- c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20)841 : Sterlyng spekyth.
b
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.75 : To his cry spaken seuen þondres, ich am forto writen.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Apoc.10.3 : Whan he hadde cried, seuene thundres spaken [L locuta sunt] her voices.
- ?a1400 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Rwl C.750)p.75 : Whanne þei hadden spokun þer voicis, I was forto write.
- c1400 Apoc.(2) (Hrl 171)47/5 : I herde a voice fro heuene þat seide to me, 'Hele þou þo þingis þat þe seuene þundris spaken, & nyle þou write hem.'
10.
(a) To write; state or declare in writing; write (in a book, gospel, letter, etc.); (b) with prepositions: ~ of (umbe), to write about (sb. or sth.), treat of (sb. or sth.) in a written work; make mention of (sb. or sth.) in a text; ~ forth of, set forth a written account of (sb.); ~ to, refer to (sb.) in writing; ben) spoken of, be) mentioned; ben spoken of in wordes, be set forth verbatim; (c) ~ to (toward, with), to communicate with (sb.) through the written word, address (sb.) in writing or a written work; (d) to write (sth., a verse), declare (sth.) in writing; also, write (how sb. did sth.), state; also, with seien: ~ to that purpos and seien, write to that purpose and say (that sth. is so); ppl. spoken as adj.: set forth in writing; aforen (biforen) spoken, aforementioned; (e) introducing directly quoted text: to write (certain specified words); ~ in the name of, write (certain specified words) in the person of (sb.); ~ to that purpos, write (certain specified words) to that purpose; also, with seien: ~ on..and seien, write in (an epistle) and say (certain specified words); ~ of..and seien, write of (a matter) and say (certain specified words); (f) in parenthetical inf. phrases with ref. to a written text: to ~ gostli (in general, in special), to speak spiritually (generally, particularly); as) for to ~ of, to speak of (sth.); propreli (for) to ~, properly speaking; for to ~ shortli, shortli for to ~, to be brief.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)22/13 : Swa hit weox þrittiȝ ȝearæ, ælce ȝeare ane elne on lenge oðre on grete & wæs æfre ufeweard toweaxen allswa we ær her biforen specon.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)51 : Dauid specð on þe sealmboc.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2457 : Lat vs bigynne at the sirurgiens and at the phisiciens that first speeken in this matere.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.1126 : Wel kan the wise poete of Florence That highte Dant speken in this sentence.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)75/3 : Leches taken somtyme largely and felyngly, 'ex' quo [*Ch.(1): pro] 'in qua' vel pro 'ab,' ofte spekynge.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)12/4 : The poetes..spak couertli and in maner of fable.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)60/27 : No man haþ cause forto þenke þat y procede and speke here ouyr scharpli.
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.33.20a : Þou seyest þat i speke to heie to þe of preiere.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)4630 : Her speke icc off unnclene menn.
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.DD (Lamb 487)43 : Of þas pinan speked dauid þe halie witeȝe.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)53/25 : Ðese hali mihtes..bieð gastliche and unaseiȝenliche, and for ði hit is ðe strengere embe hem to spekene.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)177/10 : Efter schrift falleð to speoken of penitence.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)124 : Dauid in þe sauter spak þo of my comynge.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)20/3 : We spekeþ of onworþhede hyer specialliche ine þri maneris.
- c1350 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 874)p.34 : By þe liknesse of þe Man is bitokned seint Mathew, for he specialelich spak of þe manhode of Iesu crist.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)79 : I wol of þe werwolf a wile nov speke.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2816 : Now wol I speken forth of Emelye.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.197 : Titus Liuius spekeþ of hennes þat were i-torned into cokkes.
- (?1387) Wimbledon Serm.(Corp-C 357)98/589 : Of þis it is spoke in þe gospel of Matheu.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)5289 : Þe houndes of whiche we spaak, Her cheyne bituene hem hij braaak.
- c1400 Bk.Mother (Bod 416)140/18 : Þei hadde plente of þis oynement þat Poul spak to whanne he seide: 'Þonkingis I do to God for ȝou.'
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5286 : Whilom of this vnyte Spake Tulius in a ditee.
- a1425 Ben.Rule(1) (Lnsd 378)5/25 : Sain benet spekis yet of þa þat sall be abotis: Gode a-saumpil sal he giue..His dedis az at be suilke als he cumandis til oþir.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)175/21 : Now schall I seye ȝou sewyngly of contrees & yles þat ben beȝonde the contrees þat I haue spoken of.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)35b/a : Galien likenþe sucche Surgenes to euyl cokes..þe whiche he spekeþ off in þe secounde boke de Ingenio sanitatis.
- c1425 Wycl.Concord.in Spec.43 (Roy 17.B.1)271 : If it seme to ony creature þat cotaciouns of summe textis be not spoken off in wordis þere þei shulde be expressid..so myche is þe bettir.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)297 : Cleer difference to be knowun bitwixe þese þre þingis, þat is to seie hiȝe bering, spokun of in þe next bifore going chapiter, worschip and glorie, spokun off bifore in þe ixe chapiter.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)15.3 : Of these Cristene Speke we bedene.
- c1450(a1400) Lavynham Treat.7 Dead.Sins (Hrl 211)2/19 : Of þis bronche of pride spekyth seynt Austyn..wher he seyth þt it is for þe better þt god suffryth oftetyme a prowd man þt is presumptuows of hym silf to fallyn in to sum gret opyn synne.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)62/6 : Þou muste wite bifore what is..such feiþ as we þerof now spekun in þis book.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)817/23 : Speke we of sir Launcelot.
- a1475 *Hrl.Bk.Hawking (Hrl 2340)1a : Firste to speke of haukes: they beth egges & afterward they be disclosed haukes.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)83a/a : In þe firste doctrine of þis chapitre..y spak of þe bitynge of a man.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Glo 42)725/16 : Þis Emperour þat I speke of is not elles but our lorde Ihesu criste.
- a1550(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Sln 1873)3019 : A philisopher mystily spake of this hete.
c
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)94/11 : Þonne we halge bech rædað, God specð to us.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.Quadr.(Bod 343)48/12 : Þonne we redæþ, þonne specð God to us.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)7 : Sainte powel..wrot þo a writ and sende hit synfulle men and þaron wið hem þus spec.
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)5/2 : Dauid þe salmwrihte spekeð i þe sauter toward godes spuse, þat is euch meiden þat haueð meidene þeawes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4266 : Guydo With-in his boke speketh Troylus to, Rebukyng hym ful vncurtesly, Þat he so sette his herte folili.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)202 : It folewith that in this present vers..he spekith to the same pure creature.
d
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2447 : Nouȝ leue we of hem a while & speke we a-noþer; For of þe witti werwolf a while wol i telle.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)5 : As for þe ije principal afore spoken necessarie to oure good living, which is loue to god..such proces schal in þis first partie be maad.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)18 : Þe makers of þe oþere bookis now bifore spokun in general leerneden neuer, neiþer couþen euer, be good apprentisis.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2984 : Certis a vers þat Dauid spak I þe sawter I fynde it trewe.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)73/15 : Y wole haue herof þat ȝe spake wiþout nede bifore in..þe donet.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)128/11 : Al ydil swering to god or to man is disalowid and reproued bi þe same spoken poyntis.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)47/11 : Thus affermeth Valere in his booke whiche spekith houghe the auncient knyghtis and wyse men enduced their childirn to good maners.
- c1475 Body Pol.(Cmb Kk.1.5)120/21 : Valere among all othir examples of childehoode speketh to our purpose, and seith that oftyn tymes in childehoode a man shall vndirstonde by his inclynacions to what thyngis he shall drawe to.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)2214 : In the boke of Turba Arisleus deposide How ayre in watire was secrete incloside..Pictagoras seid that was spoke with right.
e
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)131 : Vre lauerd seinte paul..speceð on þe halie pistle..and þus seið, 'Spiritualiter quidem monens hos, [etc.].'
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)10/4 : Seint Petir spekith to that purpos in his first Pistell: 'Obsecro vos tanquam.'
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)54/33 : Of þis mater þen spekiþ seynt Bernard & seiþ: 'what is he þat may holde þe biddyng of þe apostle?'
- c1460 Tree & Fruits HG (McC 132)88/17 : I fynde þat salomon speketh in þe name of oure lordis spouse, þus: 'Quesiui quem diligit anima mea, [etc.].'
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)1241 : Rasis sett the dietarie & spake somdele ferre: 'Non tamen comedat res festinanter.'
f
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)38/5 : Shortly for to speken of this theorike, I sey þt the, [etc.].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.31 : Men se the world on every syde In sondry wyse so diversed That it welnyh stant al reversed, As forto speke of tyme ago.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)6/15 : To speke in general..anticrist is euery man þat lyueþ aȝen Crist.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)396 : They founde..That the dome and Iugement fynal Of thies Clerkes, to speke in special, Be Fatal sort.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)142a/b : Properlye forto speke, alle maner of perillous enpostumes ben cured wiþ stronge mundificatiues & oþer medicynes þe whiche fistula is cured wiþ.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)151a/b : And forto speken schortelye, þe cure of canker, herpes, estiomenus, noli me tangere..ben alle one wiþ þe cure of ffistules.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)250/27 : Withowte grace, propurly to speke, þer is no morall vertewe.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)22b/a : But here þu schalt vndirstonden þat, schortly for to speke, of þe forheed or of þe front, þat it is propirly compouned of two parties.
- a1500(c1410) Dives & P.(Htrn 270)1.107 : Dulia..longyȝt, propyrly to spekyn, only to resonable creature.
- a1500(?c1440) Lydg.HGS (Lnsd 699)92 : The many-fold colours, to speke in generall, Been sondry vertues & condiciouns.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Hrl 7333)18 : For to spekyn gostely, a man is ofte tymys blind thorȝ dedly synne, þat lettith his siȝt.
11.
Of a written text, chapter, narrative, etc.: (a) to state, declare, say; ~ ayenes, speak against (sb.), censure; ~ of (o), make mention of (sb. or sth.), treat of (a subject); (b) to say (sth.), state; mention (sth.); of a deed: specify (a term); also, with clause as obj.: say (sth. happened), state (how sth. is); ~ word forth-on, state further (the Savior's) word; wel spoken, well expressed, to the point; (c) introducing directly quoted text: to say (certain specified words), read as follows; ~ and seien, declare and say (certain specified words).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6784 : Goddspellboc ne spekeþþ nohht Off all þatt oþerr genge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)37 : Nv seið mid loft-songe þe wes on leoden preost, al swa þe boc spekeð þe he to bisne inom.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)5 : Of ðe lateste to-cume specð þe holie boc on oðer stede.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.911 : Though..holy writ speke of horrible synne, certes holy writ may nat ben defouled.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)195b/a : Of suche stone þe oynement boxe þat þe gospel speikeþ of was ymade.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)11399 : O suilk a stern þe writt it spak.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12463 : A bok þan him þe maister bedd, A bok þat spac o Iuen lagh.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)1.47 : He askide of hem of whom spak þe lettre.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)4529 : Þai sal be als þe appocalips spekes.
- ?a1425 Orch.Syon (Hrl 3432)11/19 : The ferþe chapitre spekeþ..of þe dignyte of preestis.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)2 : These same wordis speking oonli of correpcioun..bi Seint Poul dressid to Thimothe..mowe weel..be take and dressid..to ech lay persoon.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)4637 : There was the dewk of tyndagel and ygwerne, his wyf..where-offen spekyth this storye.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)191/38 : Þerfore þe pistell spekeþ aȝeyns hem þat demeþ oþur and will not amende hem-selfe.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)57a/ a : Þus endiþ þis chapitre, and þe nexte spekiþ of þe diffinicioun of a surgian.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)146/19 : This presente wrytynge of translacion shall speche of the names of this foure vertues.
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)47/16 : Ne specð þiss godspell nan þing synderlice beo Cristes moder.
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Evang.(Bod 343)20/5 : Ðæt godspel spæcð forð on ðus þæs Hælendes word, '& ic ne sæde eow ȝyt, [etc.].'
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.750 : The lettre spak the queene deliuered was Of..a fendlich creature.
- (1393) Will York in Sur.Soc.4186 : I will that this place dwell still to my wyfe and to my childer, the terme that my dede spekes.
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)134 : Þe King ful sone þe waxe to-brake For to wete what it [letter] spake.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8465 : Þe first boke..Man..clepes ecclesiastes..spekes mast..Hu fals þis werld es for to faand.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)594 : In Sauter is sayd a verce ouerte Þat spekez a poynt determynable.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)51 : Bi these..conclusions is..sufficientli rebukid..the firste of the iij opiniouns spoken..in the first chapiter.
- (c1456) Paston2.167 : Me þinkith the bille and the matier right good and weel spoken accordyng to the trouthe of þeire riotous demenyng.
c
- a1400(c1250) Floris (Eg 2862)264 : Sone þere behelde he þen And þe letters began to rede, Þat þus spake and þus seide: 'Here lyth swete Blauncheflour.'
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)26/31 : A lettre..spakke on this wyse: 'Alexander, þe son of Philippe, [etc.].'
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)172 : A lettre he made tho to king Bokkus And sente it him þat spake right þus: 'We, Garaab, of ynde lord and kyng, To þe king Bokkus sendiþ greting.'
12.
(a) Of evidence: to indicate, argue; ~ bi, of a pronouncement or teaching: speak about (sth.), treat of, deal with; ~ of, of a prophecy: speak of (sb.), tell of; (b) of the Jewish law: to dictate (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)75/36 : Is þeh get an cwide bæften..he soðlice belimpð to þære ehteðen eadignysse, for þan þe heo bute specað beo ehtnysse for rihtwisnysse & for Criste.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)4170 : Of hym þus spekes þe prophecy.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)120/74 : A babe in Bedlem shulde be borne, Of whom þan spake oure prophicie trewe.
- (c1454) Deed Yks.in YASRS 65124 : The sayd Bryan suld pay hys rente and hys servyce to the hed lord in lyke wys as hys evydence speke.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.3.19 : What euere thingis the lawe spekith, it spekith to hem that ben in the lawe.
13.
(a) To make use (of a term as a physician would); use (a term appropriately for alchemy); (b) ~ to this purpos, to answer to this purpose.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)36b/a : It foloweþ þat summe members ben simpel and summe ben compounde, speking of simpel and of compounde as a surgen considereþ largelye.
- a1500(c1477) Norton OAlch.(Add 10302)2219 : Plato wrote ful sapiently, And named it Stilla roris madii; which was kyndly spoken for Alchymy.
b
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)456/1802 : Ypostacys is bod superfluite of..þe..digestioun, & every superfluite spekys to þis purpos, aw to be lyk & awnswerand kyndly to þat thynge.
14.
In phrase: ~ of (to), gram. to refer to (a time, person, number), signify.
Associated quotations
- c1400 Dur-C.Treat.Syntax (Dur-C B.4.19)191/37-9 : How many tens has þou..Þe present is þat þat spekys of þe time þat is now, þe preterd þat spekys of þe time þat es past, þe futur þat spekys of þe tyme þat is for to cum.
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(1) (Pen 356B)5/218 : How knos þu þe preterinperfitens? For he spekys of þe tym þat ys lytyll agon.
- c1450 Peniarth Accedence(2) (Pen 356B)11/106,109 : How know ȝe þe first person? For hit spekyth of hitselfe all only..How know ȝe þe ij person? For hit spekyth to a noder by hitself, and þen hit ys singler, as 'tu.'
- a1500 Add.37075 Accedence (Add 37075)45/47 : How know ye the singulere nombyr? For he spekyth of on þynge, as 'a man.'
- a1500 Douce Accedence (Dc 103)57/86,87 : How knowyst the i persone? For he spekyth of hymselfe, as 'I'..How knowyst the ij persone? For he spekyth of a nodur, as 'thou' or 'ȝe.'
15.
In proverbs and prov. expressions.
Associated quotations
- a1225(?c1175) PMor.(Lamb 487)145 : Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger and of festen.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)101/8 : Of ðat ðe herte is full, ðarof spekð ðe muð.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1074 : 'Wel fiȝt þat wel specþ,' seide alured.
- a1300 King conseilles (Ipsw 6)94 : Wanne gold sal speken and gume sal suien, thanne sal engelond to same gon.
- a1350 Prov.Hend.(Hrl 2253)140 : Þah þou muche þenche, ne spek þou nout al.
- c1350 How GWife(1) (Em 106)162/69 : Al is noȝt trewe þat faire speket.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Rv.(Manly-Rickert)A.3881 : Whan we may noght doon than wol we speke.
- a1400 Prov.Wisd.(Bod 9)47 : Aspye wel or þou speke.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)5/31 : Many man thretes and spekes ful ill Þat sum tyme war better to be stane still.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.861 : Swich manere folk..Defamen Love..Thei speken, but thei benten nevere his bowe.
- a1450(?1419-20) Topias (Dgb 41)80/233 : Many men speken of Robyn Hood & shotte neuere in his bowe.
- a1450 Bot witt pas (Add 37049)169 : Avyse þe wele or þou speke.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)86 : Spare not to speke; spede yf þou mowe.
- c1450 Ryl.Prov.& R.(Ryl Lat 394)97 : Speke frensche & constrwe arte, And þu shalt selde come to þy parte.
- c1475(?a1440) Burgh Cato(1) (Rwl C.48)169 : To the suspect of harme it seemeth Men speke of hym; he noon othir demyth.
- a1500(a1475) Ashby Dicta (Cmb Mm.4.42)939 : Grete wisdam is litil to speke.
- a1500 Conq.Irel.(Rwl B.490)141/9 : Forto speke of thynge that is Paste is no remedy.
- a1500 Counsels Isidor (Hrl 1706)371 : Speke not oo þinge & doo a noþere.
- a1500 Wast bryngyth (Cmb Ff.2.38)st.25 : Þat spekyrus [?read: spekyth] moche some speche he must spylle.
- a1550 *Ripley CAlch.(BodeMus 63)59b : Many A man spekith of wondering Of Robyne hood and his bowe whiche never shott therin I trowe.
16.
In surname.
Associated quotations
- (1263) Close R.Hen.III267 : Willelmus Spakenot.