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bespeak

[ bih-speek ]
/ bɪˈspik /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR bespeak

verb (used with object), be·spoke or (Archaic) be·spake; be·spo·ken or be·spoke; be·speak·ing.

to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader's patience.
to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: to bespeak a seat in a theater.
Literary. to speak to; address.
to show; indicate: This bespeaks a kindly heart.
Obsolete. to foretell; forebode.

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Origin of bespeak

before 900; Middle English bespeken,Old English besprecan.See be-, speak

Words nearby bespeak

besotted, besought, bespake, bespangle, bespatter, bespeak, bespeckle, bespectacled, bespoke, bespoken, bespread
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to bespeak

imply, attest, exclaim, engage, show, hint, request, stipulate, discuss, speak, accost, foretell, argue, address, ask, announce, reserve, cite, arrange

Example sentences from the Web for bespeak

British Dictionary definitions for bespeak

bespeak
/ (bɪˈspiːk) /

verb -speaks, -speaking, -spoke, -spoken or -spoke (tr)

to engage, request, or ask for in advance
to indicate or suggestthis act bespeaks kindness
poetic to speak to; address
archaic to foretell
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012