Meaning of bespeak in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /bəˈspik/

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  1. Verb

    bespeak

    Etymology

    Old English bisprecan ‘speak up, speak out’ (see be-, speak), later ‘discuss, decide on’, hence ‘order’ (bespeak (sense 2), late 16th century)

    Definitions

    1. be a signal for or a symptom of

    Examples

    • « These symptoms indicate a serious illness »
    • « Her behavior points to a severe neurosis »
    • « The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. express the need or desire for

    Examples

    • « ask for »
    • « She requested an extra bed in her room »
    • « She called for room service »

    Derived terms

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