Part 629

Chaucer.

The acts of God . . . to human ears Can nort without process of speech be told.

Milton.

3. A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect.

People of a strange speech and of an hard language.

Ezek. iii. 6.

4. Talk; mention; common saying.

The duke . . . did of me demand What was the speech among the Londoners Concerning the French journey.

Shak.

5. formal discourse in public; oration; harangue.

The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point.

Swift.

6. ny declaration of thoughts.

I. with leave of speech implored, . . . replied.

Milton.

Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See Harangue, and Language.

Speech, v. i. & t. To make a speech; to harangue. [R.]

Speech"ful (?), a. Full of speech or words; voluble; loquacious. [R.]

Speech`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n.[See Spechify.] The act of speechifying. [Used humorously or in contempt.]

Speech"i*fi`er (?), n. One who makes a speech or speeches; an orator; a declaimer. [Used humorously or in contempt.] G. Eliot.

Speech"i*fy (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speechified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Speechifying (?).] [Speech + -fy.] To make a speech; to harangue. [Used derisively or humorously.]

Speech"i*fy`ing, n. The act of making a speech or speeches. [Used derisively or humorously.]

The dinner and speechifying . . . at the opening of the annual season for the buckhounds.

M. Arnold.

Speech"ing, n. The act of making a speech. [R.]

Speech"less, a. 1. Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech.

2. Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent.

Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear.