English

edit

Etymology

edit

From non- +‎ speech.

Adjective

edit

nonspeech (not comparable)

  1. Not speech.
    • 2004, Robert A Dobie, Susan B Van Hemel, Hearing loss: determining eligibility for Social Security benefits:
      Perception of nonspeech sounds is important in the workplace...

Noun

edit

nonspeech (countable and uncountable, plural nonspeeches)

  1. That which is not speech, or not a speech.
    • 1961, United States. Congress, Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates (page A-2680)
      Recently and rightfully, there has been much criticism of so-called nonbooks, nonplays, and, I might add, nonspeeches. These are the books, plays, and speeches which are written, not by authors but by reflectors of public demand. They are not art but artificial.