speakable
Appearance
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Middle English spekabyll; equivalent to speak + -able.
Adjective
[edit]speakable (not comparable)
- That can be spoken; utterable, verbalizable.
- Acceptable as a topic of discussion; not subject to taboo.
- 2004, Robert I. Yufit, David Lester, Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Suicidal Behavior:
- Once the group knows that suicide is a speakable topic […]
- 2016, Major Kwark in Ratchet and Clank (film), 75m
- Arrest this man for his speakable crimes against the galaxy.
- (obsolete) Capable of speech.
- 1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
- Redouble then this miracle, and say, / How cam'st thou speakable of mute […]