BESPEAK • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Bespeak

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/bɪspˈik/ Listen

verb

Bespeak v. t. (past bespoke, archaic bespake; past part. bespoken; pres. part. bespeaking)

To speak or arrange for beforehand; to order or engage against a future time; as, to bespeak goods, a right, or a favor. "Concluding, naturally, that to gratify his avarice was to bespeak his favor."

To show beforehand; to foretell; to indicate. "(They) bespoke dangers... in order to scare the allies."

To betoken; to show; to indicate by external marks or appearances. "When the abbot of St. Martin was born, he had so little the figure of a man that it bespoke him rather a monster."

To speak to; to address. (Poetic) "He thus the queen bespoke."

Bespeak v. i. (past bespoke, archaic bespake; past part. bespoken; pres. part. bespeaking) To speak. (Obs.)

noun

Bespeak n. A bespeaking. Among actors, a benefit (when a particular play is bespoken.) "The night of her bespeak."

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Etymology of 'Bespeak'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Bespeak" Quotes from Famous Books

... custom of some authors to preface their earlier works with excuses for sending their "little volume out into the world," and to bespeak in its behalf the leniency of both critic and reader. I have no such apologies, however, to make for this work. I have confidence in its success and it will win or lose, according to its merits, no matter ...

— Said the Observer • Louis J. Stellman

... he said, "I believe that you have some influence with Louise, I am sure that you are one of those who sympathize with the unfortunate. Can't I bespeak your good offices?" ...

— The Avenger • E. Phillips Oppenheim

... the river side every mile or two, but they do not bespeak a population; most of them are in ruins, they are simply built with sun-dried bricks, some are white-washed, others gilt, only the famous pagodas are ever repaired, for a Burman obtains more evident merit ...

— From Edinburgh to India & Burmah • William G. Burn Murdoch

... and painted bowl, And venison, for a journey dressed, Bespeak the nature of the soul, Activity, that ...

— Selections From American Poetry • Various

... bulletin boards bespeak the country as eloquently as do the hayfields. They seem never to be new. Articles lost but long since restored to their owners are still advertised on faded brittle paper, fastened by rusted thumb tacks of a bygone age. Strawberry festivals, with strawberries that have ...

— Roy Blakeley in the Haunted Camp • Percy Keese Fitzhugh

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