speak etymology

Etymology

The word "speak" originates from the Old English word "specan," which means "to utter words." It is related to the Proto-Germanic word sprekan, which also means "to speak."

Meaning

To speak means to produce articulate sounds in order to communicate. It can also refer to the expression of thoughts or feelings through words.

Origin

The ultimate origin of "speak" is uncertain. One theory suggests that it is derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *sprek-, which means "to break" or "to split." This may be related to the idea of speaking as a way of separating one's thoughts and feelings from oneself and communicating them to others.

Usage

The word "speak" is used in a wide variety of contexts, both formal and informal. It can be used to refer to the act of speaking in general, or to specific instances of speaking, such as a speech or a conversation. It can also be used in a figurative sense, to refer to the communication of ideas or feelings through other means, such as writing or art.

Synonyms

• Talk
• Utter
• Express
• Communicate
• Say
• Articulate

speak relate terms

• crack

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• cracked

  Etymology Old English cracian Proto Germanic krakōną Proto Indo European kreǵ

• Newspeak

  Etymology Newspeak is a fictional language created by George Orwell in his novel Ninetee

• speak

  Etymology The word speak originates from the Old English word specan which means to

• bespeak

  Etymology Middle English bespeken to speak to to arrange agree upon Old English

• misspeak

  Etymology The word misspeak is derived from the following components mis prefix

• speakeasy

  Etymology The term speakeasy originated in the United States during the Prohibition er

• contradict

  Etymology Comes from the Latin word contradicere meaning to speak against Meanin

• elocution

  Etymology and Meaning of Elocution Origin Latin elocūtiō Meaning Speaking out sp

• interlocutor

  Etymology Latin interlocutor interlocutor From the prefix inter between loqu

• utter

  Etymology Origin Utter comes from the Middle English word utren which itself der

• snivel

  Etymology Middle English snivelen sniveling Old English snot from the Proto Germani

• address

  Etymology The word address derives from the Old French word adrecier which in turn

• harangue

  Etymology French harangue Late Latin haranga arenga Possibly from a pre Indo Europea