See Also: bespeak(1)(dictionary)
bespeak(2)(dictionary)
bespeak(dictionary)

bespeak(2) (iou)



bespeak verb. , (less commonly) bespoke. Pa. ppl adjective BESPOKE adjective, (less commonly) bespoken.
[Old English bisprecan = Old Frisian bispreka, Old Saxon besprekan (Dutch bespreken), Old High German bisprehhan (German besprechen): see BE-, SPEAK verb.]
verb intrans. & trans. Speak up or out; exclaim (that); (later simply) speak. OE-L18.
Milton Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go.
verb trans. Speak against, oppose. OE-ME.
verb trans. Speak about; discuss; determine upon or to do. ME-M17.
verb trans. Arrange for, engage beforehand; order (goods), commission to be made; ask for (a favour etc.). L16.
Steele She bespoke the Play of Alexander the Great, to be acted by the Company of Strollers. E. Bowen The taxi bespoken by Cousin Francis to drive him back. L. Garfield The good offices of a certain gentleman were not yet bespoke.
b. Request or engage (a person) to do. L16-M18.
verb trans. Speak to (a person); address. Chiefly poet. L16.
Pope Medon first th' assembled chiefs bespoke.
verb trans. Indicate; give evidence of; augur. E17.
N. Hawthorne Circumstances that bespeak war and danger. D. Lodge His handsomely bound old missal bespeaks wealth and taste.