# bespeak

Pronunciation: US say "bi-SPEEK" /bɪˈspik/; UK

## Verb

1. To be a sign of something, showing, indicating, or suggesting it; also, to depict it, foretell it, or allude to it.
   - Simple: To be a sign that shows or suggests something.
   - _The worn steps and faded paint bespeak a building that has seen better days._
   - _Her calm reply bespoke years of experience with difficult customers._
2. To arrange for something in advance by speaking for it, engaging it, ordering it, or reserving it.
   - Simple: To order or reserve something ahead of time.
   - _Arriving at the inn after dark, she bespoke supper and a room facing the garden._
   - _Wealthy patrons would bespeak a portrait months before the artist was free to paint it._
3. To ask for something as one would ask a favor, or to set it as a condition.
   - Simple: To ask someone for something, like a favor.
   - _Allow me to bespeak your indulgence for a few minutes while I explain the delay._
   - _In his letter to the judge, he bespoke leniency for his younger brother._
4. To say something aloud, whether by speaking, by speaking up or out, or by exclaiming.
   - Simple: To speak, or to say something out loud.

## Verb

5. To speak about a subject, telling of it or discussing it. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: To talk about something or tell people about it.
   - _From the pulpit the parson bespoke the town's sins at tiresome length._
   - _After dinner the guests begged the old explorer to bespeak the frozen lands he had crossed._
6. To speak to someone, addressing words directly to them. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: To speak to someone or say words to them.
   - _The stranger reined in his horse and bespoke the travelers on the road._
   - _Rising from her throne, the queen turned to bespeak the assembled lords._

## Noun

7. A patron's request for a particular performance, or the benefit performance put on in answer to the request. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A supporter's request for a certain show, or the special show given because of it.
   - _The squire arranged a bespeak, choosing the comedy he wished the company to perform._
   - _Her bespeak drew the town's leading families, and the proceeds went to the actress herself._

## Origin

From Middle English bespeken (bispeken), from Old English *bespecan, besprecan ("to speak about, speak against, accuse, claim at law, complain"), from Proto-West Germanic *bisprekan ("to discuss, blame") and Proto-Germanic *bisprekaną ("to speak about, discuss, blame"); it is equivalent to be- + speak. Related words include Scots bespeke ("to beseech, speak or negotiate with"), Saterland Frisian bispreke and West Frisian besprekke ("to discuss"), Dutch bespreken and German besprechen ("to discuss, review").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/bespeak (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).