Utter

This verb is often misused for say , expre . To utter means to speak , to pronounce ; and its derivative utterance means the act, manner, or power of uttering, vocal expre ion; as, "the utterance of articulate sounds." We utter a cry; expre a thought or sentiment; speak our mind; and, though prayers are said , they may be uttered in a certain tone or manner. "Mr. Blank is right in all he utters ": read, says . "The court uttered a sentiment that all will applaud": read, expre ed a sentiment. The primary meaning of the adjective utter is outer, on the outside; but it is no longer used in this sense. It is now used in the sense of complete, total, perfect, mere, entire; but he who uses it indiscriminately as a synonym of these words will frequently utter utter nonsense—i. e., he will utter that which is without the pale of sense. For example, we can not say utter concord, but we can say utter discord—i. e., without the pale of concord.