ˈspi:kɪŋ n. & adj. --n.
the act or an
instance of uttering words etc. --adj. 1
that speaks;
capable of
articulate speech. 2 (of a portrait)
lifelike;
true to
its subject (a speaking likeness). 3 (in comb.) speaking or capable of speaking a specified
foreign language (French-speaking). 4
with a
reference or
from a
point of
view specified (roughly speaking; professionally speaking). øon speaking terms (foll. by with) 1 slightly acquainted. 2 on
friendly terms. speaking
acquaintance 1 a
person one knows slightly. 2
this degree of
familiarity. speaking clock
Brit. a
telephone service giving the
correct time in words. speaking-trumpet
hist. an
instrument for making the
voice carry. speaking-tube a
tube for conveying the voice from one
room,
building,
etc., to
another.