| 释义 |
speakable, a.|ˈspiːkəb(ə)l|
Also 5 spekabylle, 6 spe(a)keable.
[f. speak v. + -able.]
1. That may or can be spoken; fit or possible to be expressed in speech.
1483Cath. Angl. 353/1 Spekabylle, effabilis. Ibid. 379/1 Tellabylle, vbi spekabylle. 1545R. Ascham Toxoph. i. (Arb.) 56 Heaping othes upon othes, one in a nothers necke, moost horrible and not spekeable. 1587Fleming Cont. Holinshed III. 1318/1 Pining with more than speakeable passions. a1684Leighton Comm. 1 Pet. Wks. (1859) 32/2 The best worldly joys are easily speakable. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. iii. vi. iii, If no speakable charge exist against a man. 1889F. M. Crawford Greifenstein II. xiv. 112 This creature for whom no speakable name could be found.
†2. Having the power of speech; able to speak. Obs. rare.
1667Milton P.L. ix. 563 Redouble then this miracle, and say, How cam'st thou speakable of mute? 1676Mace Musicks Mon. 109 It will seem to speak the word Tut, so plainly, as if it were a Living Creature, Speakable.
3. Able or fit to be spoken to.
1956‘C. Blackstock’ Dewey Death x. 227 I'm simply not speakable to this morning. 1979Daily Tel. 20 Sept. 18/3, I don't think he is speakable to at the moment... Could you ring back in 20 minutes?
Hence ˈspeakably adv.
1845Mrs. Browning Lett. (1899) I. 4 Mr. Kenyon—who most unspeakably, or only speakably with tears in my eyes—has been my friend. |