bespeak

views updated Jun 11 2018

be·speak / biˈspēk/ • v. (past -spoke; past part. -spok·en) [tr.] 1. (of an appearance or action) suggest; be evidence of: the attractive tree-lined road bespoke money.2. order or reserve (something) in advance: obtaining the affidavits that it has been necessary to bespeak.

bespeak

views updated May 11 2018

bespeak †speak or call out OE.; speak for, order; speak to, address XVI; tell of, indicate XVII. OE. besprecan = OS. besprekan, OHG. bisprehhan (G. besprechen); WGmc., f. *bi- BE- + *sprekan SPEAK.
Hence bespoke (of work commissioned), earlier †bespoken (XVII).

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