bespoken

[ bih-spohkuh n ]

/ bɪ spoʊkən /

verb

a past participle of bespeak.

adjective

bespoke.

QUIZZES

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Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

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Origin of bespoken

1600–10 for def 2

OTHER WORDS FROM bespoken

un·be·spo·ken, adjectivewell-be·spo·ken, adjective

Words nearby bespoken

bespatter, bespeak, bespeckle, bespectacled, bespoke, bespoken, bespread, besprent, besprinkle, bess, bessarabia

Definition for bespoken (2 of 2)

bespeak

[ bih-speek ]

/ bɪˈspik /

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.

Origin of bespeak

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

Example sentences from the Web for bespoken

“When you're a smaller brand, you have to take advantage of these opportunities,” said Liam Fayed of menswear label Bespoken.
The Future of Fashion Week|Renata Espinosa|September 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Hence the attendant guided him to the Miuraya, where was bespoken the presence of the brilliant oiran O'Yodo.
Bakemono Yashiki (The Haunted House)|James S. De Benneville
His conduct had bespoken no willingness to put constraint upon her steps.
Ormond, Volume III (of 3)|Charles Brockden Brown
Cecilia looked startled; she was well aware that Helen did not know the high price of what she had bespoken.
Helen|Maria Edgeworth

"You cannot have the new carriage you have bespoken," said his lordship.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
Eight-and-twenty copies are at present bespoken and paid for.
Letters of George Borrow|George Borrow

British Dictionary definitions for bespoken

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