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Speaking much; very talkative; loquacious.

Silent; not speaking. Thackeray. The citizens are mum, and speak not a word. Shak.

To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter. Peace, you mumbling fool. Shak. A wrinkled hag, with age grown double, Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself. Otway.…

A speaking in a low tone; mumbling. [Obs.]

Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent. All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven. Milton.

r can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. 1 Cor. ii. 7. If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would…

To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by way of reprimand.

To utter words or letters with a nasal sound; to speak through the nose.

Unfit to speak of; unmentionable; impious; execrable. [Obs.] "Nefand adominations." Sheldon. "Nefandous high treason." Cotton Mather.

Hence, a writing intended to be used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a speech or of proceedings.

Just now; at present. [Obs.] But thereof needeth not to speak as nouthe. Chaucer.

At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now. I have a patient now living, at an advanced age, who discharged blood from his lungs thirty years ago. Arbuthnot.

h which is quoted indirectly, or in a different person from that employed by the original speaker. -- Oblique sphere (Astron. & Geog.), the celestial or terrestrial sphere when its axis is oblique to the horizon of the place; or as it appears to an observer at any point on the earth except the poles and the equator.…

strife; -- chiefly in the phraze at odds. Set them into confounding odds. Shak. I can not speak Any beginning to this peevish odds. Shak. At odds, in dispute; at variance. "These squires at odds did fall." Spenser. "He flashes into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds." Shak. -- It is odds, it is probabl…

A glance of the eye; an amorous look. [Obs.] She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks. Shak.

in fondness, or with a design to attract notice. And ogling all their audience, ere they speak. Dryden.

irror, the vibratory motions caused by sounds produced at the open end of the tube, as by speaking or singing into it. A. E. Dolbear.

less compact; as, to open matted cotton by separating the fibers. To open one's mouth, to speak. -- To open up, to lay open; to discover; to disclose. Poetry that had opened up so many delightful views into the character and condition of our "bold peasantry, their country's pride." Prof. Wilson.

A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent. I am no orator, as Brutus is. Shak. Some orator renowned In Athens or free Rome. Milton.

The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence. "The oratory of Greece and Rome." Milton. When a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory. Shak.