speaking - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English spekinge, spekynge, spekinde, spekende, spekande, spekand, from Old English specende, sprecende (“speaking”), from Proto-Germanic *sprekandz (“speaking”), present participle of Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak”). Equivalent to speak +‎ -ing. Cognate with Scots speikand, speikin (“speaking”), Saterland Frisian spreekend (“speaking”), West Frisian sprekkend (“speaking”), Dutch sprekend (“speaking”), German Low German sprekend (“speaking”),German sprechend (“speaking”).

speaking (not comparable)

  1. Used in speaking.
    one's normal speaking voice
  2. Expressive; eloquent.
    The sight was more speaking than any speech could be.
    • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XLIV, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 267:
      There was no reply, save on the speaking countenance.
    • 1977 December 17, Circle of Loving Companions, “Critical Friends”, in Gay Community News, volume 5, number 24, page 4:
      Then we read Spear's confrontational commentary on the "Richard Pryor Incident" from the Black perspective...and suddenly we began to feel that GCN's window on the Gay World was something we couldn't live without since no other Gay Media voice seemed so speaking.
  3. Involving speaking.
    It was her first speaking part: she screamed.
  4. Having the ability of speech.
    1. (in compounds) Having competence in a language.
      The English-speaking gentleman gave us directions.
      I travel in Russian-speaking countries.
      The French-speaking world listened in to the broadcast.

having the ability of speech

From Middle English speking, spekynge, equivalent to speak +‎ -ing.

speaking (countable and uncountable, plural speakings)

  1. One's ability to communicate vocally in a given language.
    I can read and understand most texts in German, but my speaking is awful.
  2. The act of communicating vocally.
    • 2011, Jimmie W. Greene, Samuel D. Perry, Bridge Builder, page 50:
      Sometimes, a brawl would erupt, as a result, but, in general, public speakings were peaceful events and essential ingredients for election to office.
  3. A speaking exercise or exam.
  4. An oral recitation of e.g. a story.

ability to communicate vocally

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

speaking

  1. present participle and gerund of speak
    Who is that speaking? -Hi. This is José García (speaking).

speaking

  1. (telephony) Indication that the person requested is the same as the one who is currently speaking.[1]

  2. ^ Telephoning (Cambridge Dictionary, English Grammar Today), Asking for someone

speaking m (plural speakings)

  1. English oral/speaking test