1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.
2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. A speaking acquaintance, a slight acquaintance with a person, or one which merely permits the exchange of salutations and remarks on indifferent subjects. — Speaking trumpet, an instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet, by which the sound of the human voice may be so intensified as to be conveyed to a great distance. — Speaking tube, a tube for conveying speech, especially from one room to another at a distance. — To be on speaking terms, to be slightly acquainted.
SPEAKING
Speak"ing, n.
1. The act of uttering words.
2. Public declamation; oratory.
SPEAR
Spear, n. Etym: [OE. spere, AS. spere; akin to D. & G. speer, OS. &
OHS. sper, Icel. spjör, pl., Dan. spær, L. sparus.]
1. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.
Note: [See Illust. of Spearhead.] "A sharp ground spear." Chaucer. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Micah iv. 3.
2. Fig.: A spearman. Sir W. Scott.
3. A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.