bespeak

USbi-SPEEK/bɪˈspik/

Formsbespeaks, bespeaking, bespoke, bespoken

7 meanings of bespeak

1
verbtransitive
To be a sign that shows or suggests something.
Her tidy desk and neat notes bespeak a careful worker.
His shaking hands bespoke real fear.
Similarindicate, suggest, show, reveal, signify
Note
2
verbtransitive
To order or reserve something ahead of time.
When we reached the inn, we bespoke rooms for the night.
If you want the best seats, bespeak them a week early.
Similarorder, reserve, book, commission
Note
3
verbtransitive
To ask someone for something, like a favor.
Before I start, I must bespeak your kindness, since this is my first speech.
The new teacher bespoke the class's attention before reading out the rules.
Similarrequest, solicit
Note
4
verbintransitive
To speak, or to say something out loud.
Similarspeak

Less common meanings

5
verbarchaicformaltransitive
To talk about something or tell people about it.
In his talk to the class, the old sailor bespoke the storms he had lived through.
In his letters home, the soldier would bespeak the long, cold winter in camp.
Note
6
verbarchaictransitive
To speak to someone or say words to them.
The old man turned and bespoke the children at the gate.
Spurring his horse, he galloped down to the shore and bespoke them.
1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”Here, bespoke means spoke to them or addressed them.
Note
7
nounarchaic
A supporter's request for a certain show, or the special show given because of it.
The mayor asked for a bespeak, and the actors played his favorite comedy.
On her bespeak night, every seat in the theater was full.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Old English and is made of be- + speak. It first meant "to speak about" something.