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stening the wheel of a vehicle, to prevent it from turning in going down a hill. To put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the execution of some design.

Uttered in speech; delivered by word of mouth; oral; as, a spoken narrative; the spoken word.

A kind of drawing knife or planing tool for dressing the spokes of wheels, the shells of blocks, and other curved work.

One who speaks for another. He shall be thy spokesman unto the people. Ex. iv. 16.

imp. & p. p. of Bespeak.

r speech, or uttered with fairness; bland; civil; courteous; plausible. "A marvelous fair-spoken man." Hooker.

Using profane, scurrilous, slanderous, or obscene language. Shak.

Accustomed to speak without reserve. Bacon. -- Free"-spo`ken-ness, n.

Speaking, or spoken, freely, openly, or boldly; as, an outspoken man; an outspoken rebuke. -- Out*spo"ken*ness, n.

Speaking with plain, unreserved sincerity; also, spoken sincerely; as, plain-spoken words. Dryden.

Spoken or speaking prettily. [Colloq.]

Speaking in a quick or short manner; hence, gruff; curt. [Colloq.]

Speaking smoothly; plausible; flattering; smooth-tongued.

Speaking softly; having a mild or gentle voice; hence, mild; affable.

Speaking with directness; plain-spoken. [Colloq. U.S.] Lowell.

A tension spoke of a bicycle or similar wheel, secured tangentially to the hub.

Speaking well; speaking with fitness or grace; speaking kindly. "A knight well-spoken." Shak.

shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction or omission, especially of words written or spoken. It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off. Bacon.

g to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.

To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost. Are not your orders to address the senate Addison. The representatives of the nation addressed the king. Swift.