speaking
English
editPronunciation
edit- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/
- (US, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈspi.kɪŋ/
- (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/, [ˈspɪi̯.kɪŋ]
- Rhymes: -iːkɪŋ
Etymology 1
editFrom Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak + -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”), German sprechend (“speaking”).
Adjective
editspeaking (not comparable)
- Used in speaking.
- one's normal speaking voice
- Expressive; eloquent.
- The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.
- 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XLIV, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 267:
- There was no reply, save on the speaking countenance.
- 1977 December 17, Circle of Loving Companions, “Critical Friends”, in Gay Community News, volume 5, number 24, page 4:
- Then we read Spear's confrontational commentary on the "Richard Pryor Incident" from the Black perspective...and suddenly we began to feel that GCN's window on the Gay World was something we couldn't live without since no other Gay Media voice seemed so speaking.
- Involving speaking.
- It was her first speaking part: she screamed.
- Having the ability of speech.
- speaking parrot; speaking clock
- (in compounds) Having competence in a language.
- The English-speaking gentleman gave us directions.
- I travel in Russian-speaking countries.
- The French-speaking world listened in to the broadcast.
Antonyms
edit- (antonym(s) of “expressive”): unspeaking
- (antonym(s) of “involving speaking”): nonspeaking
Derived terms
editTranslations
editeloquent — see eloquent
having the ability of speech
Etymology 2
editFrom Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak + -ing.
Noun
editspeaking (plural speakings)
- One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.
- I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.
- The act of communicating vocally.
- 2011, Jimmie W. Greene, Samuel D. Perry, Bridge Builder, page 50:
- Sometimes, a brawl would erupt, as a result, but, in general, public speakings were peaceful events and essential ingredients for election to office.
- An oral recitation of e.g. a story.
Translations
editthe act of speaking
|
the act of communicating vocally
an oral recitation
|
Etymology 3
editSee the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Verb
editspeaking
- present participle and gerund of speak
Interjection
editspeaking
- (telephony) Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.[1]
Translations
editindication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking
|
References
edit- ^ Telephoning (Cambridge Dictionary, English Grammar Today), Asking for someone
Anagrams
editCategories:
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- Rhymes:English/iːkɪŋ
- Rhymes:English/iːkɪŋ/2 syllables
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English terms suffixed with -ing (participial)
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English uncomparable adjectives
- English terms with usage examples
- English terms with quotations
- English terms suffixed with -ing (gerund noun)
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English non-lemma forms
- English verb forms
- English interjections
- en:Telephony
- English verbal nouns
- en:Talking