speech, speach, spec he

[For spreche, from A. S. spæc, later form of spræc, from spæcan =to speak (q. v.); cogn. with Dut. spraak; Ger. sprache.] 1. The faculty of speaking, or of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty or power of expre ing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking. "There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expre ions by speech , wherewith man alone is endowed, for the communication of his thoughts."-- Holder : On Speech. 2. The act of speaking; utterance of thought. "I, with liberty of speech implored And humble deprecation, thus replied." Milton: P. L. , viii. 377. *3. The act of speaking with another; conversation, talk. "He desires some private speech with you." Shakesp.: Measure for Measure , iii. 4. That which is spoken; words, as expre ing ideas; language. "O goode God! how gentil and how kind Ye seemed by your spec he and your visage." Chaucer: C. Т. , 8,729. *speech-măn, *speach-man, s. [Eng. speech, s., and man.] A spokesman. "The Muscouits doo write vnto S. Nicholas to be a speachman for him that is buried."-Holinshed: Descr. of Britaine, ch. ix. speēd, *spede, *sped-en, v . i . & t . [A. S. spédan ( pa.t.spédde ); cogn. with Dut. spaeden ; Low Ger. spoden , spuden , spöden ; Ger. sputen to hasten, to advance quickly.) [SPEED, s .] A. Intransitive: *1. To succeed, to prosper; to advance in one's purpose or enterprise; to have succe . "Spar hit nat and thou shalt spede the betere." Piers Plowman, p. 59. 2. To fare; to have any fortune, good or ill; to succeed, well or ill. "You shall know how I speed ." --Shakesp .: Merry Wives, ii. 2. 3. To make haste; to advance or move with celerity. "Well have we speeded , and o'er hill and dale. Cut shorter many a league."- Milton : P. R. , iii. 267. 4. To pa quickly. "Years had rolled on, and fast they sped away." Byron: Lara, i. 4. 7. A formal discourse delivered in public; an oration, a harangue. *speech-crier, s . One who hawked about printed accounts of the executions and confe ions (when any was made) of criminals, particulars of murders, . [ Eng .] speech-day, subst . The periodical (generally annual) day for delivering prizes in schools, when exercises are recited by the pupils. speech-maker, s. One who makes speeches; one who speaks much in public a emblies. *speech, v . i. . (SPEECH, 8.] A. In trans.: To make a speech; to speak, to harangue. "And were you supposed to have the tongues of angels and archangels to speech it in your behalf, their words would have no weight!"- Pyle : Sermons , ii. 435. B. Trans.: To make speeches to. "Your lordship having speeched to death Some hundreds of your fellow-men." Moore: Fudge Family , lett. ii. *speech-fül, a. [English speech , s.; -ful ( l ).] Speaking; full of talk; loquacious; hence, expre ive. "Dost thou see the speechful eyne Of the fond and faithful creature?" Blackie: Lays of Highlands, ., p. 18. speech-i-fi-ca-tion, subst . [English speechify ; -cation.] The act or habit of speechifying or mak observer, a speculator.