bespeak
/bi'spi:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To indicate or suggest something; to be a sign of: "bespeak" means to show evidence of a particular quality, fact, or feeling.
- To order or arrange something in advance: "bespeak" means to request or engage something beforehand.
Examples of Usage
- Verb (to indicate):
- Verb (to order in advance):
Advanced Usage
- "to bespeak of": This phrasal construction is sometimes used to mean "to be evidence of" or "to tell of."
Variants and Related Words
- Bespoke (adj): Made to order; custom-made. This is the most common modern derivative.
- Bespoken (adj or past participle): Ordered or arranged in advance. (Less common than "bespoke").
Synonyms
- Indicate: to show, point out, or make known.
- Suggest: to imply or evoke the idea of.
- Betoken: to be a sign of; to indicate. (Formal)
- Order: to request something to be made, supplied, or served.
Different Meanings
- Primary Modern Meaning (to indicate): The word is most frequently used to mean that something serves as a sign or evidence of a particular characteristic.
- Secondary/Archaic Meaning (to order): This meaning, related to arranging something beforehand, is now less common and often found in formal or historical contexts.
Notes on Usage
- The past tense and past participle for the verb "bespeak" are typically bespoke and bespoken, though "bespoke" is also commonly used as a past participle, especially in adjectival form.
- In contemporary English, the verb "bespeak" is considered somewhat formal or literary when used to mean "indicate." The adjectival form "bespoke" is widely used, particularly in British English, to describe custom-made goods (e.g., bespoke tailoring, bespoke software).
Verb
- express the need or desire for; ask for
- She requested an extra bed in her room
- She called for room service
- be a signal for or a symptom of
- These symptoms indicate a serious illness
- Her behavior points to a severe neurosis
- The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued