See Also: speaking(1)(dictionary)
speaking(2)(dictionary)
tongues, speaking in(encyclopedia)
SPEAKING DEMURRER, equity pleading(law)

speaking(2) (iou)



speaking verbal noun. ME.
[from SPEAK verb + -ING1.]
a. The action of SPEAK verb; speech, talk; conversation, discourse. ME.
b. The delivery of speeches; speech-making. M18.
a. An instance or occasion of speech or talk; a discourse, a discussion. Now chiefly US. ME.
b. In pl. Things spoken; sayings, statements, words. ME-M17.
The faculty or power of speech. LME-E16.
Phrases: at that present speaking US at that moment. at the present speaking, at this present speaking US at this moment. in a manner of speaking: see MANNER noun1. on speaking terms (a) slightly acquainted; (b) on friendly terms.
Attrib. & comb.: In the sense 'used for producing or conveying articulate sounds', as speaking-machine, speaking-pipe, etc.; in the sense 'pertaining to speech', as speaking skills, speaking voice, etc. Special combs., as speaking acquaintance (a) a person one knows slightly; (b) this degree of familiarity; speaking front Music an organ-front composed of pipes which actually sound, as opp. to dummy pipes; speaking-trumpet Hist. an instrument used (formerly esp. at sea) to make the voice carry; speaking-tube a tube or pipe for communicating by voice from one room, building, etc., to another.