speakingn.
/ˈspiːkɪŋ/ 1.
a. The action of the verb; talking, discoursing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [noun]
speechc725
spellc888
tonguec897
spellingc1000
wordOE
mathelingOE
redec1275
sermonc1275
leeda1300
gale13..
speakc1300
speaking1303
ledenc1320
talea1325
parliamentc1325
winda1330
sermoningc1330
saying1340
melinga1375
talkingc1386
wordc1390
prolationa1393
carpinga1400
eloquencec1400
utteringc1400
language?c1450
reporturec1475
parleyc1490
locutionc1500
talk1539
discourse1545
report1548
tonguec1550
deliverance1553
oration1555
delivery1577
parling1582
parle1584
conveying1586
passage1598
perlocution1599
wording1604
bursta1616
ventilation1615
loquency1623
voicinga1626
verbocination1653
loquence1677
pronunciation1686
loquel1694
jawinga1731
talkee-talkee?1740
vocification1743
talkation1781
voicing1822
utterancy1827
voicing1831
the spoken word1832
outness1851
verbalization1851
voice1855
outgiving1865
stringing1886
praxis1950
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 8285 Ȝyt þer ys spekyng of vylaynye Þat longeþ vnto lecherye.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 228 He..dischargid þaim þe company & spekyng with of any strangiers.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 1507 Sone thai war brocht to spekyng to Wallace.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 181 Sic speking off the king thai maid.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxxiii. 148 They fledde away as ferr as they might here spekyng of thenglysshmen.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 10 From the South hath scarce ever beene attempted a journey worth speaking of, to the indammagement of the North.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions p. cx These very words of the Captains speaking were Noted down from his Mouth by the Person to whom he spake them.
1780 Mirror No. 88 A young gentleman, who, from his correct manner of speaking, I suppose practised the law.
1825 W. Scott Talisman v, in Tales Crusaders IV. 82 Within an hour from the time of my speaking.
1849 A. H. Clough Poems & Prose Remains (1869) II. 84 The Voice, Whose speaking told abroad..The ancient truth of God.
b. The delivery of speeches; speech-making.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > [noun]
declamation1552
public speaking1587
oratory1594
orationing1633
speeching1664
rostrum1690
speech-making1718
speechifying1723
speakinga1763
speechification1825
platforming1892
peroratory1903
a1763 W. King Polit. & Lit. Anecd. (1819) 181 (note) Indeed our methodists and our enthusiasts of all denominations pretend to the gift of speaking.
a1831 R. Whately Rhetoric in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) I. 241/1 It is evident that in its primary signification, Rhetoric had reference to public Speaking alone.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. i. i. 63 That you would not be so bitter against after-dinner speaking.
1910 C. Harris Eve's Second Husband 75 The ‘speaking’ itself was to be in a grove upon the Molly's-borough battle ground.
2. † c. plural. Things spoken; sayings, statements, words. Obsolete.
a. With possessive pronouns, etc.: Speech, talk; conversation, discourse.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [noun] > as expression
wordOE
speakinga1325
locution1483
verbalization1851
vocalization1887
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun]
speechc900
talec1000
speaka1300
reasonc1300
speakinga1325
counsela1350
intercommuningc1374
dalliancec1400
communication1419
communancec1449
collocutiona1464
parlour?c1475
sermocination1514
commona1529
dialogue?1533
interlocutiona1534
discourse1545
discoursing1550
conference1565
purposea1572
talk1572
interspeech1579
conversationa1586
devising1586
intercourse1596
intercommunication1603
eclogue1604
commercing1610
communion1614
negocea1617
alloquy1623
confariation1652
gob1681
gab1761
commune1814
colloquy1817
conversing1884
cross-talk1887
bull session1920
rap1957
a1325 Prose Psalter cxviii. 50 Þi spekyng quikened me.
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 2810 He toke then leue at qwene Eleyne, Off here spekyng he was fayne.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 428 Gyff thow wald kep thi fewte, Thove maid nane sic speking to me.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xviii. 215 Sich spekyng will we spare.
1876 W. Morris Story of Sigurd i. 7 So sweet his speaking sounded.
1885 Athenæum 17 Oct. 501/2 He was obliged..to mingle some plain political speaking..with his ethical teaching.
b. An instance or occasion of speech or talk; a discourse, †conference, discussion, etc. Now chiefly U.S. at this (or the) present speaking, at this moment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > [noun] > a speech
speakingc1275
cry1303
orisona1382
sermonc1385
exhortationc1450
oration?1504
prepositiona1513
declamation1523
concion1541
speak1567
set speech1573
speech1583
hortative1612
allocution1615
public addressa1639
address1643
presentation1714
speechification1809
speechment1826
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting
aughteOE
redeOE
somrunec1275
speakingc1275
counselc1290
deliberationc1405
advisement1414
commoninga1425
communingc1425
imparlement1450
imparling1450
parleyc1490
parleying1508
counselment1523
parling1527
counsellinga1533
practice1540
interview1541
consultation1548
parliance1553
conference1555
enterparling1557
consult1560
imparlee1565
parlance1577
imparlance1579
parliamenting1582
deliberative1590
converse1614
parliamentation1622
powwowing1642
consulting1823
powwowism1873
the world > time > relative time > the present (time) > [adverb]
noweOE
nowtheOE
nughuOE
todayOE
nowthenc1225
orc1275
in presentc1330
in this presentc1330
now by dawec1330
of present1340
presentc1385
nowadays?1387
adaysa1393
nowadaya1393
now on daysa1393
presently?a1425
now of daysc1425
now-o'-daysc1450
at (the) presenta1500
at this presenta1500
nowdaysa1500
currently1579
on the presenta1616
actually1663
nowanights1672
naow1824
at this (or the) present speaking1835
again1837
contemporarily1837
nowdays1850
any more1859
hic et nunc1935
at this moment in time1936
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 12988 Þo comen to Londene alle þeos Bruttes to one speking.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 301 In alle þis spekyng com þe tresorere Fro Edward our kyng.
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 52 Also it was ordeynd..for to haue a spekyng to-gedyr thre tymes in þe ȝer.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 42 As sone as this spekyng was don.
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) ii. f. clxxxiiii/2 The good relygyous..was enfourmed of this spekyng.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. v. 241 'Tis still a Dreame: or else..a speaking such As sense cannot vntye. View more context for this quotation
1650 Cromwell Let. 12 Sept. in Carlyle Lett. & Sp. A speaking to instruction and edification.
1835 J. P. Kennedy Horse Shoe Robinson (U.S. ed.) I. vi. 78 If I suspicioned a bamboozlement, which I am not far from at this present speaking.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxiii. 361 That she was the mother of eight children at that present speaking.
1844 E. B. Browning Lady Geraldine's Courtship xii When a sudden silver speaking, gravely cadenced, over-rung them.
1863 ‘S. L. Jones’ Life in South I. v. 57 Then came the ‘speaking’, as the sermon was called.
1891 M. E. Ryan Told in Hills iii. v. 205 At the present speaking the days are not picnic days.
1895 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Mystery Witch-face Mt. 206 Thar war a big crowd at the cross roads ter hear the speakin'.
1942 J. Thomas Blue Ridge v. 155 Men..will travel miles to a speaking—which may be a political gathering or one for..discussing road building.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [noun] > that which is or can be spoken
speechc897
saw9..
speech971
wordOE
quideOE
wordsOE
wordOE
thingOE
rouna1225
mouthc1225
queatha1250
breathc1300
reasonc1300
speakingsa1325
swarec1325
saying1340
voicec1350
lorea1375
sermonc1385
carpc1400
gear1415
utterancec1454
parol1474
ditty1483
say1571
said1578
dictumc1586
palabra1600
breathing1606
bringinga1616
elocution?1637
rumblea1680
elocutive1821
vocability1841
deliverance1845
deliverment1850
deliverancy1853
verbalization1858
voicing1888
sayable1937
the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > phrase > [noun] > collectively
speakingsa1325
saying1340
verbalities1662
verbalism1800
a1325 Prose Psalter cxviii. 11 Ich hidde þy spekynges in myn hert.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 49 I mot algate..make my spekynges Of love.
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 42 By tokyns & ensamples, & lyke spekyngges.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Dan. viii. D A kynge..which shall be wyse in darcke speakinges.
1578 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. III. 16 To credeit the reportis and speikingis of the saidis personis.
1653 H. More Second Lash of Alazonomastix 177 To understand the speakings of God, according as the circumstances of the Matter naturally imply.
3.
a. With adjectives, as evil, fair, great, wise, etc.
ΚΠ
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 50 Ine zenne of kueade tonge, þet is in fole spekinge.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 533/159 Whon he þe makeþ feirest spekyng Þen drede þou most his dedes suwyng.
1486 Bk. St. Albans e iij For all the fayre spekyng..Commyth of sechyng and fyndyng of the hare.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Eph. iv. C Let all bytternes,..roaringe, & cursed speakynge [1611 euill speaking] be farre from you [frō (from) in text].
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Pet. ii. 1 Laying aside all malice,..and enuies, and euill speakings . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 131 My first false speaking Was this vpon my selfe. View more context for this quotation
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. at Malediction An Evil Speaking or cursing.
b. With adverbs, as evil, soft, thick, etc.
ΚΠ
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 274/1 Spekyng toguyder, locution.
1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Abbaissement de voix, a speaking soft.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (1623) ii. iii. 24 And speaking thicke (which Nature made his blemish) Became the Accents of the Valiant.
a1649 W. Drummond Wks. (1711) 180 If the speaking evil of a King be a Sin before God.
1736 R. Ainsworth Thes. Linguæ Latinæ II. at Pronunciatio A speaking out, or delivery of a speech.
1920 D. H. Lawrence Lost Girl iv. 54 She began to hate outspokenness and direct speaking-forth of the whole mind.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [noun] > faculty or power of speech
speech?a1000
speaka1300
carpc1400
utterance1474
speakingc1480
discourse1609
languagea1616
verbalness1647
vocal1838
speechfulness1880
c1480 (a1400) St. Matthias 386 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 233 Defe men he gaf herynge, alsa to dum þe spekyne.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. BBBvii Though the freer minour gyue syght to the blynde,..to the dome, spekyng.
Compounds
C1. attributive, as speaking acquaintance, speaking distance, speaking engagement, speaking exercise, speaking order, speaking part, speaking point, speaking room, speaking tour, speaking trip, speaking voice, etc.
ΚΠ
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Rrr3/2 This Book is a great Help both for the speaking and the reading part.
1751 tr. Female Foundling II. 47 Immediately I went down into the Speaking-room [= parlour].
1852 C. A. Bristed Five Years Eng. University (ed. 2) 289 And our acquaintance with the tongue of Dante never became, to borrow a very old Joe Miller, a speaking acquaintance.
1858 R. W. Emerson Eloquence in Atlantic Monthly Sept. 385/1 The eloquence of one stimulates all the rest, some up to the speaking point.
1860 G. J. Adler tr. C. C. Fauriel Hist. Provençal Poetry x. 216 Rudiger has already arrived within speaking distance of the enemy.
1870 O. Logan Before Footlights iii. 37 By and by I got into ‘speaking parts’, such as the Duke of York in Richard the Third.
1879 Law Rep.: Appeal Cases 4 40 If the Court of Quarter Sessions stated upon the face of the order, by way of recital, that the facts were so and so, and the grounds of its decision were such as were so stated, then the order became upon the face of it, a speaking order.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. III. 355 Graduated and methodical speaking exercises.
1908 E. Terry Story of my Life xiv. 355 Melba..had a bad cold, and therefore a frightful speaking voice for the moment.
1924 W. Holtby Crowded Street xxxvi. 270 Delia..departed northwards on a speaking tour.
1931 F. L. Allen Only Yesterday ii. 32 He would win them to his cause, making a speaking trip through the West.
1944 N. Streatfeild Curtain Up viii. 99 Mime..she loved. Then there were her speaking parts.
1973 ‘E. McBain’ Hail to Chief vi. 109 I have a speaking engagement... I'm talking at a women's college.
1977 Rolling Stone 5 May 15/4 White, a big man with a rich, resonant speaking voice which turned into a tough growl when he sang.
1978 M. Dickens Open Bk. xix. 173 On this speaking tour, my engagements fell roughly into two main categories.
1979 Ld. Denning Discipline of Law ii. i. 66 It was possible to extend it to include not only the order of the Tribunal itself—when it was a ‘speaking order’—but in addition all the documents properly before the Tribunal and considered by them.
C2.
a. In combinations denoting devices or apparatus for producing or conveying articulate sounds, as speaking-apparatus, speaking battery, speaking board, speaking-machine, speaking-pipe, speaking telephone, †speaking trump, etc.; See also speaking-trumpet n., speaking-tube n.
ΚΠ
a1711 T. Ken Hymns for Festivals in Wks. (1721) I. 315 Up then I saw an Angel take His Speaking-Trump.
1795 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 401 By means of the speaking-pipe the workman may be directed to begin, to stop, to go fast, or slow.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic vii. 159 It has been supposed..that in the ancient speaking machines the deception is effected by means of ventriloquism.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vi. i. 301 Not a unit of whom but has..his own speaking-apparatus.
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIV. 154/1 Speaking-pipes, or tubes to convey the voice from one place to another.
1879 G. B. Prescott Speaking Telephone (new ed.) 44 During the past year the articulating or Speaking Telephone has attracted very general interest.
b.
speaking-film n. = talkie n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > a film > type of film > [noun] > with sound
talking film1904
talking picture1904
talkie1913
speaking-film1918
phonofilm1921
sound-film1923
talking movie1927
sound picture1928
talk-film1929
1918 H. Croy How Motion Pictures are Made 360 Speaking films will shortly be achieved.
speaking front n. an organ-front composed of pipes which actually sound, as contrasted with dummy pipes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > pipe > front-pipe(s)
front-pipe1855
front1879
speaking front1881
1881 W. E. Dickson Pract. Organ-building iv. 53 It is by these means that ‘speaking fronts’ are arranged according to any design.
C3. on (upon, †in) speaking terms: see term n. 8 (Usually in negative constructions.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > social communications or relations [phrase]
on (upon, in) speaking terms1786
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > on friendly terms [phrase] > having a relation of friendly conversation
on (upon, in) speaking terms1786
1786 H. Mackenzie Lounger No. 78. ⁋2 One half of the neighbours are scarce in speaking terms with the other.
1801 M. Edgeworth Belinda I. xii. 370 Lady Delacour is not upon speaking terms with this Mrs. Margaret Delacour; she cannot endure her.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xi. 101 Mrs. Perkins, who has not been for some weeks on speaking terms with Mrs. Piper.
1882 ‘E. Lyall’ Donovan xli He was no longer on speaking terms with Stephen.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
speakingadj.
/ˈspiːkɪŋ/ 1. figurative.c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xiii. 85 Ther is ane ald prouerb that says, that ane herand damysele and ane spekand castel sal neuyr end vith honour.1644 J. Bulwer (title) Chirologia; or the Natvrall Langvage of the Hand. Composed of the Speaking Motions, and Discoursing Gestures thereof.
a. That speaks; capable of articulate speech. †In early use absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [adjective] > speaking
speakinga1325
discoursing1565
loquent1593
parling1594
uttering1818
verbal1822
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2821 Quo made domme, and quo specande?
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. ii. 1 A vois of the spekynge.
1568 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlvii. 102 Callit ane speikand devill.
1686 R. Boyle Free Enq. Notion Nature iv. 84 Of some such sort of speaking images, some learned criticks suppose the Teraphim..to have been.
1740 J. Dyer Ruins of Rome 6 Historic Urns and breathing Statues rise, And speaking Busts.
1778–81 T. Warton Hist Eng. Poetry (1870) xxvii. 452 The public pageants of this period..received.. the addition of speaking personages.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic i. 4 The speaking head which uttered its oracular responses at Lesbos.
1865 E. B. Tylor Res. Early Hist. Mankind ii. 19 So the speaking man has no business to meddle with the invention of signs.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 208/1 The philosopher Descartes made a speaking figure.
b. As the second element of various combinations, as evil-speaking, fair-speaking, great-speaking, public-speaking, true-speaking. †Also absol.
ΚΠ
c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) xliii. 18 Fram þe voice of þe reproceand and þe oȝains spekand.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1268 A knyght..That worthy was and wel spekyng.
1388 J. Wyclif Psalms xi. 4 The Lorde destrie..the greet spekynge tunge.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 211 That he bene corteyse, wel Spekynge, and eloquente.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 256 The opinion of any one true speaking man.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Pendu A smooth, glib, eloquent, or well speaking tongue.
1647 Earl of Clarendon Contempl. Psalms in Tracts (1727) 517 To grapple with our fair~speaking adversaries.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vii. iii. 350 The public-speaking woman at the Palais Royal.
c. In objective combinations with names of languages.
ΚΠ
1860 Good Words 1 4/1 French-speaking knights.
1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. 146 The English-speaking peoples.
1899 J. W. Mackail Life W. Morris I. 179 Among Greek-speaking people.
2.
a. In various figurative and transferred senses; esp. expressive, significant, eloquent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > high significance, expressiveness > [adjective] > characterized by being
significant1581
speakingc1595
vocal1608
expressful1621
vocal speaking1649
expressive1718
signific1795
speechful1820
expressionable1892
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme xlv. 8 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 38 Thie lipps, as springs, doe flowe with speaking grace.
1635 T. Jackson Humiliation Sonne of God viii. xxxi. 358 A prophecie or speaking picture that the victory..should be accomplishte upon the crosse.
1653 R. Flecknoe Miscellania 1 Still borne Silence,..Admirations speakingst Tongue.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 73 'Tis a speaking Sight.
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) ix. 232 This recovery..seemed to be speaking, as to the point I was concerned about.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab iv. 45 The balmiest sigh..Were discord to the speaking quietude That wraps this moveless scene.
1853 H. N. Humphreys Coin Collector's Man. I. 262 Supposed to have been adopted as a speaking type.
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. xxii. 40 The same is of itself a speaking witness to their permanence.
b. Of the eyes, countenance, etc.: Highly expressive.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > expression > [adjective] > full of expression
speaking1592
expressive1690
1592 Arden of Feversham i. 259 Loue is the Painters Muse, That makes him frame a speaking countenaunce.
1602 Kyd's Spanish Trag. (new ed.) iii. sig. H3v With a speaking looke to my sonne Horatio.
1633 P. Fletcher Piscatorie Eclogs ii. xx. 12 in Purple Island Me thinks I heare thy speaking eye Woo me my posting journey to delay.
1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xvii. 438 With speaking eyes, and voice of plaintive sound.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxiii. 60 Can the pretty Image speak, Mrs. Jervis? I vow she has speaking Eyes.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iii. vi. 65 One who takes her answer..from the speaking lineaments of the face, which are Truth's witnesses.
1842 I. Williams Baptistery I. iii. 239 Expression varies still each speaking glance.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay ii. 30 Elsie was silent, but a distressed look crept over her speaking face.
3. Of likeness, etc.: Striking; true; faithful.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adjective] > closely resembling > lifelike
livelyc1330
lifelikea1522
natural1581
speaking1582
vive1584
breathing1669
semblant1714
thinking1732
nature-true1850
vivid1852
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 20 His face goodlye roset, with speaking forgerye feigned.
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen xviii. 302 Any body..could still draw a speaking, nay scolding likeness of Keate.
1862 Princess Alice Mem. (1884) 40 A most beautiful picture of the Grand Duchess Hélène—quite speaking.
Compounds
Special Combinations.
speaking clock n. a telephone service giving the correct time in words (cf. talking clock n. at talking adj. Compounds).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [noun] > telephone services
answering service1904
information1910
speaking clock1934
talking clock1936
TIM1936
telebus1942
wake-up service1946
subscriber trunk dialling1952
freephone1959
telephone hotline1961
WATS1962
call waiting1963
night line1970
phone-in1970
telephone helpline1970
help-line1980
line1983
Cellnet1984
chat line1984
Vodafone1984
telepoint1987
callback1992
1934 P.O. Electr. Engineers' Jrnl. 27 142/1 For some time past a speaking clock has been installed in Paris.
1978 ‘H. Carmichael’ Life Cycle xiii. 139 If nobody at Scotland Yard has a watch you could've dialled the Speaking Clock.
speaking demurrer n. see quot. 1887.
ΚΠ
1887 Cassell's Encycl. Dict. VI. Speaking-demurrer, Law, a demurrer in which new facts not appearing upon the face of a bill in equity were introduced to support a demurrer.
speaking-flame lamp n. a safety lamp which announces the presence of explosive gas by giving out a peculiar sound.
ΚΠ
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 230 Speaking-flame lamp.
speaking stop n. a stop key on an organ which permits or prevents the sounding of a rank of pipes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > stop-knob
stop1585
stop-handle1858
piston1873
stop-knob1887
piston knob1890
thumb-piston1904
speaking stop1938
1938 Oxf. Compan. Music 660/2 An organ of 168 actual ‘speaking stops’ (we so call the stops which really sound, as distinct from other devices.)
1977 Gramophone Mar. 1444/2 This is a very large Compton organ indeed, with 37 speaking stops on the pedal.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> as lemmas
speaking
(b) spec. To speak to another by means of a telephone; —— speaking (where —— is a speaker on a telephone), phrase used by the speaker to announce his identity.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > communicate by telephone [verb (intransitive)]
telephone1877
call1879
phone1885
speak1885
ring1887
to call in1930
1885 List of Subscribers Exchange Syst. (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) p. xiv ‘Who speaks?’ came distinctly from the wires into the office. ‘2577,’ was the reply—it was the hotel number.
1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby ix. 200 But the connection came through as a man's voice, very thin and far away. ‘This is Slagle speaking.’.. ‘Yes?’ The name was unfamiliar.
1927 A. MacDonald (title) Dorty Speaking.
1933 ‘Sapper’ Knock-out i. 9 Standish..took the receiver from the other's hand. ‘Hullo! Sanderson,’ he said. ‘Yes—Standish speaking. What now?’
1973 J. Wainwright Pride of Pigs 166 ‘Quince?’ said the voice. ‘Speaking.’ Quince hooked his fingers through the carrying handle of the Trimphone, telephone hand set... He said: ‘Who's that?.. Who's speaking?’
1977 L. Meynell Hooky gets Wooden Spoon xiii. 151 C.I.D. here..who is it speaking, please?
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n.c1275
adj.a1325as lemmas