bespeak
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Bespeak — Be*speak , v. t. [imp. {Bespoke}, {Bespake} (Archaic); p. p. {Bespoke}, {Bespoken}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bespeaking}.] [OE. bispeken, AS. besprecan, to speak to, accuse; pref. be + sprecan to speak. See {Speak}.] 1. To speak or arrange for… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bespeak — Be*speak , n. A bespeaking. Among actors, a benefit (when a particular play is bespoken.) The night of her bespeak. Dickens. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bespeak — Be*speak , v. i. To speak. [Obs.] Milton. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bespeak — (v.) O.E. besprecan speak about, speak against, complain, from BE (Cf. be ) + SPRECAN (Cf. sprecan) to speak (see SPEAK (Cf. speak)). A common Germanic compound (Cf. O.S. bisprecan, Du. bespreken, O.H.G. bisprehhan, Ger. besprechen … Etymology dictionary
bespeak — betoken, attest, *indicate, argue, prove Analogous words: manifest, evidence, *show, evince, demonstrate: imply, hint, *suggest … New Dictionary of Synonyms
bespeak — ► VERB (past bespoke; past part. bespoken) 1) be evidence of. 2) order or reserve in advance … English terms dictionary
bespeak — [bē spēk′, bispēk′] vt. bespoke, bespoken or bespoke, bespeaking [ME bispeken < OE besprecan: see BE & SPEAK] 1. to speak for in advance; engage beforehand; reserve [that room is bespoken] 2. to be indicative of; show [a mansion that bespeaks… … English World dictionary
bespeak — /bəˈspik/ (say buh speek), /bi / (say bee ) verb (t) (bespoke or, Archaic, bespake, bespoken, bespeaking) 1. to ask for in advance; stipulate: to bespeak a calm hearing; to bespeak the reader s patience. 2. to reserve beforehand; engage in… …
bespeak — /bi speek /, v.t., bespoke or (Archaic) bespake; bespoken or bespoke; bespeaking. 1. to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader s patience. 2. to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: to bespeak a seat in a theater. 3.… … Universalium
bespeak — transitive verb (bespoke; bespoken; speaking) Date: 1533 1. to hire, engage, or claim beforehand 2. to speak to especially with formality ; address 3. request < bespeak a favor > … New Collegiate Dictionary