There is none comparable to the variety of
instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man
alone is endowed for the communication of his
thoughts. --Holder.
2. he act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as
expressing ideas; language; conversation.
Note: Speech is voice modulated by the throat, tongue, lips,
etc., the modulation being accomplished by changing the
form of the cavity of the mouth and nose through the
action of muscles which move their walls.
O goode God! how gentle and how kind Ye seemed by
your speech and your visage The day that maked
was our marriage. --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: Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See
{Harangue}, and {Language}.