Forms: α. 3–4 voiz (4 uoyz), 3–5 voys (5 uoys, 5–6 woys), 4–5 voise (4 uoise), 4–6 (7) voyse (5 woyse); 4–7 voyce (4 voysce, 5 voyc, 5–6 Sc. woyce), 4– voice (4 uoice, 4, 5–6 Sc., woice, 6 voic); also 5 wyce, 8–9 dial. vice. β. Sc. and north. 4–7 voce (5 uoce, 5–6 woce), 5, 7 vose, 6 vox, wox. [a. AF. voiz, voice, OF. voiz, vois, voix (mod.F. voix, Pr. votz, Sp. and Pg. voz, It. voce):—L. vōc-em, vox voice, sound.]
I. 1. Sound, or the whole body of sounds, made or produced by the vocal organs of man or animals in their natural action; esp. sound formed in or emitted from the human larynx in speaking, singing or other utterance; vocal sound as the vehicle of human utterance or expression. Also occas., the faculty or power of producing this; or concretely, the organs by which it is produced.
a. With the, or with limiting terms as man’s.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11420. Þis ilk stern … said to þaim wit mans woice, Þat þai suld wend to Juen land.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 40. Þe son of þe cry com to þe cowherde euene, Þat he wist witerly it was þe voys of a childe.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 83. Þe voys þat þey makeþ is liker to an houndes berkynge þan to a manis voys. Ibid. (1398), Barth. De P. R., V. xxiii. (Bodl. MS.). To schape þe voice aier is ifonge in þe leues of þe lungen.
1580. J. Hay, Demandes, § 17, in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.), 39. The trew intelligence … and nocht the outward sounding of the woce.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, v. 59. There is … a dubble Speech; the one in the mynd,… the other the sounding image thereof,… vttered by our mouth and … termed the Speech of the Voyce.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 838. Plato defineth the Voice to be a spirit.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., III. ii. 95. They that haue the voyce of Lyons, and the act of Hares: are they not Monsters?
1655. Vaughan, Silex Scint., Holy Script., ii. Thou [the Bible] art the great Elixir rare and choice; The Word in Characters, God in the Voice.
1710. M. Henry, Disputes Reviewed, Wks. 1853, II. 464/1. When the temper is not kept within due bounds, commonly the voice is not.
1780. W. Shaw (title), A Galic and English Dictionary. Containing all the Words in the Scotch and Irish Dialects of the Celtic, that could be collected from the Voice, and Old Books and MSS.
1831. Youatt, Horse, viii. 152. The voice of animals is produced by the passage of air through this aperture.
1842. Penny Cycl., XXIV. 154/1. Speaking-pipes, or tubes to convey the voice from one place to another.
1889. Ruskin, Præterita, III. 162. The Voice is the eternal musical instrument of heaven and earth, from angels down to birds.
b. Without article.
Occas. put for ‘musical voice,’ ‘power of singing’: cf. quots. 1667 and 1697.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 17840. And als sun þai spak wit woice.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 75. Among alle þingis vois is a freel þing.
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), IV. xx. 67. See howe my sone … by meneth hym in herte chere and voys.
1444. Aberdeen Regr. (1844), I. 12. He sal vphald the ladymesse with uoce on Twisdai, Thurisdai, and Fridai ilke owke for a yher.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, III. xlviii. 119. So I teche wiþoute voice of wordes, wiþoute confusion of opinyons.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xlviii. 162. Thane all the birdis song with voce on hicht.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 124. Seing wraith without ony voce of worde is appointed to iudgement, wraith in voce is appointed to a councel quhairin sentence is pronunced.
1594. Kyd, Cornelia, III. i. 132. These are … melancholie showes, That … counterfet the dead in voyce and figure.
1608. Topsell, Serpents, 134. A vocal iustice, which speaketh in action though not in voyce.
1666–7. Pepys, Diary, 12 Feb. I confess I was mightily pleased with the musique. He pretends not to voice; though it be good, but not excellent.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 70. Hollow Rocks that render back the Sound, And doubled Images of Voice rebound. Ibid. (1697), Virg. Past., V. 10. Your merit and your years command the choice: Amyntas only rivals you in voice.
1721. Bailey, Aphony, a want of voice.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., That Canal,… which at first pass’d for the principal Organ or Voice.
1780[?]. Cowper, Cricket, 17. Though in voice and shape they be Form’d as if akin to thee.
1828. Whately, Rhet., in Encycl. Metrop., I. 295/1. To observe all the modulations, &c. of voice, which take place in such a delivery.
1872. Huxley, Physiol., vii. 184. Thus, voice may exist without speech, and … speech may exist without voice, as in whispering.
1884. F. M. Crawford, Rom. Singer, I. 2. He had so much voice that he did not know what to do with it.
transf. and fig. 1815. Scott, Waterloo, i. We yet may hear the hour Peal’d over orchard and canal, With voice prolong’d and measured fall. Ibid. (1817), Harold, III. vi. From realms afar Comes voice of battle and of war.
c. With adjs. denoting the quality or tone. Chiefly with or in … voice. Cf. 6 c.
13[?]. K. Alis., 3850 (Laud MS.). And hem he seide wiþ voice clere Ich bidde frendes þat ȝe me here.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 4853 (Kölbing). Ten com bihinde … Wiþ loude voice & to hem gradde.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XV. 584. With styf voys [he] hym called, Lazare, veni foras.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 140. Therfor criet the pepill, har kynge and his good werkes with hey woyce commendid and preisit.
c. 1460. Oseney Reg., 18. Hit shall be lefull to yow … in lowe voice to saye diuine seruice.
a. 1500. Lancelot, 13. Throw birdis songe with opine wox one hy, That sessit not one luffaris for to cry.
1552. Lyndesay, Monarche, 5588. [An angel shall cry] With hydous voce, and vehement,—Ryse, [etc.].
a. 1609. Alex. Hume, Poems (S.T.S.), 15. When I waill with weeping vose, Lord, to my plaint give eare.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 37. Methought Close at mine ear one call’d me forth to walk With gentle voice.
1812. Cary, Dante, Purg., XXV. 24. At the hymn’s close They shouted loud, ‘I do not know a man’; Then in low voice again took up the strain.
1819. Shelley, Cenci, V. iv. 9. Muttering with hoarse, harsh voice.
d. In (…) voice. Of persons: Having the voice or vocal organs in fit or good condition for speaking or singing. So out of voice.
1757. Foote, Author, Epil. O! Such a Sustinuto upon B! Ma’am, when she’s quite in Voice she’ll go to C.
1760–2. Goldsm., Cit. W., lxxi. You know very well … that I am not in voice [for singing] to-day.
1826. Cobbett, Rur. Rides (1885), II. 285. Owing to a cold … I was, as the players call it, not in very good voice.
1868. Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 391. I was in wonderful voice last night, but croak a little this morning.
1884. ‘Edna Lyall,’ We Two, xxvi. I am afraid my wife is quite out of voice.
transf. 1883. Pennell-Elmhirst, Cream Leicestersh., 253. Hounds were in full voice, and several foxes in full flight almost immediately.
e. The sound of voices. (In quot., of birds.)
1831. G. P. R. James, Phil. Augustus, I. ii. The earth was full of flowers, and the woods full of voice.
f. Utterance or expression (of feeling, etc.). Chiefly in phrases, as to give voice to, to find voice in.
1855. Arnold, Haworth Churchyard, v. Hail to the courage which gave Voice to its creed.
1885. ‘E. Garrett’ (Mrs. Mayo), At Any Cost, xiv. 255. Tom had been unable to suppress sundry conjectures…, but he had never given them voice.
1906. T. Sinton, Poetry of Badenoch, Introd. p. xxxv. There was always plenty of hero-worship, which found voice in song.
g. Phonology. Sound uttered with vibration or resonance of the vocal chords, as distinguished from BREATH 10.
1842. Penny Cycl., XXII. 429/2. The consonants are conveniently classed into those with and those without voice.
1888. Sweet, Eng. Sounds, 18. The relations of breath and voice in consonants are mainly determined by their surroundings. Ibid., 89. The intermediate change of voice to whisper is very common.
2. † a. The supremacy or upper hand in a struggle. Obs.–1
Employed merely for the sake of rhyme.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21694. Quen þat þai faght … And moises held his hand o-loft, To-quils he heild his hend on croice, Ai haid his aun folk þe voice.
b. The right or privilege of speaking or voting in a legislative assembly, or of taking part in, or exercising control or influence over, some particular matter; part or share in the control, government or deciding of something. Chiefly in phr. to have (or † bear) … voice in. Cf. 10 d.
App. not in common use from the end of the 17th c. to the latter part of the 19th.
1433. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 479/2. Not to be made free, ne herde, ne bere no voice in no maner assemble of the seid Comyns.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 27 § 11. No merchaunt … [shall] bere eny voyce ne have eny sayngs in eny Courte … wythin oure seid Staple.
1525. in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 1527 (1883), 97. That he be chosin be fremen, and na servandis till have voce amangis maisteris in ony materis.
1581. Allen, Apologie, 38 b. The Parliament is a mere temporal Court, the Bishops them selues hauing voice there no otherwise but as Barons of the Realme.
1666. in J. Bulloch, Pynours (1887), 70. The Master of Impost … to have voce and consent of the distribution of the moneyes belonging thervnto.
1697. View of Penal Laws, 323. Persons having Voice or Vote to such Election.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Error, 45. Man, thus endued with an elective voice, Must be supplied with objects of his choice.
1873. Helps, Anim. & Mast., v. (1875), 114. If we had more voice in the management of affairs.
1884. Manch. Exam., 28 May, 5/2. Some voice Europe will insist upon having in the political disposal of Egypt.
1889. Jessopp, Coming of Friars, iv. 185. The parishioners had more voice in the matter than they have now.
† c. To give voice to, to vote for. Obs.
1566. in Fowler, Hist. C. C. C. (O.H.S.), 112. Item, he gave voyce to himselfe in the graunte of lease to him selfe, for the which lease he gave no fine at all.
3. The expressed opinion, judgment, will or wish of the people, a number of persons, a corporate body, etc., occas. as indicated or shown by the exercise of the suffrage. Cf. 10.
In some instances not clearly distinct from 4.
1390. Gower, Conf., Prol. I. 7. The world is changed overal,… And that I take to record Of every lond for his partie The comun vois, which may noght lie.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2886. For peples vois is goddes voys, men seyne.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VI. 909. With the great seill, and woice off hys parliament.
1528. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 426. [Order made] by the consent of Mr. Recordar, and the ballyffes with the holl voyce of the town then being present.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. V., 62. The whole voice of the commons was to yelde, yeld, rather then starue.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. ii. 88. A President … in committing freely Your scruple to the voyce of Christendome.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xvi. 82. The voyce of the greater number, must be considered as the voyce of them all.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, To Rdr. 3. Let no man … be so weak as … [to] conclude ought against it either by Tradition or the common Voice of the World.
1711. Swift, Cond. Allies, 78. It is the Folly of too many, to mistake the Eccho of a London Coffee-house for the Voice of the Kingdom.
1780. Mirror, No. 77. Before the trial of an atrocious criminal, the unanimous voice of the Public is, that he should be led out to punishment.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. iv. i. It is the voice of all France, the Sound that rises.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 167. Recalled by the voice of both the contending factions, he was the very man to arbitrate between them.
1877. Tennyson, Harold, II. ii. I will be king of England by the laws, The choice, and voice of England.
b. Without of. Now usually with defining adj., as general, popular, public, prefixed (b).
(a) 1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 17. Hakon, Hernebald sonne, of best he bare þe voice, In stede of Kynges banere he did him bere þe croice.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., II. ii. 113. Whatsoeuer cunning fiend it was That wrought vpon thee so preposterously Hath got the voyce in hell for excellence.
1603. B. Jonson, Sejanus, IV. v. I feare, you wrong him. He has the voyce to be an honest Romane.
1628. Earle, Microcosm. (Arb.), 70. [He] cries Chaucer for his Money aboue all our English Poets, because the voice ha’s gone so.
1703. Rowe, Ulyss., II. i. So shall the Voice in Ithaca be for you.
1787. Washington, Lett., Writ. 1891, XI. 181, note. Thus stands the matter at present in this State. I think nevertheless the voice is for it.
(b) 1588. Shaks., Tit. A., V. iii. 140. Lucius our Emperour: for well I know, The common voyce do cry it shall be so.
1746. Francis, trans. Horace, Epist., II. ii. 150. Much I endure, when writing I would bribe The public Voice.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, I. vii. The public voice … seldom reaches to a brother or a husband, though it rings in the ears of all the neighbourhood.
1773. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind (1774), II. 212. I believe the general voice will direct you to Hume.
1832. Tennyson, Œnone, 82. To me, by common voice Elected umpire, Here comes to-day.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vi. II. 123. While the king was thus trying to terrify the lords of articles into submission, the popular voice encouraged them to persist.
† 4. That which is generally or commonly said; general or common talk; rumor or report. Obs.
Freq. in the 16th c., often with common.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), vii. 27. Þe comoun voice es þare þat þai er þe bernes of Joseph.
1462[?]. Paston Lett., II. 107. It is my part to enfourme youre maistirshyp as the comoun voyse is,… for it is half a deth to me to here the generall voyse of the pepyll, whiche dayli encreassyth.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccclxxxiv. 651. In this meane tyme voyce and bruyte ranne through London, howe these vnhappy people were lykely to sle the kynge [etc.].
a. 1568. Satir. Poems Reform., xlvii. 12. Grit foulis ȝe were with fallowis to defeme hir, Havand na causs bot commoun voce and sklander.
1577. F. de L’isle’s Legendarie, K viij. The voyce went the same time … that there was a letter … sent into Normandy, conteining these wordes.
1607. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 70. All Sunday it was current that the parliament did hold, but now the voice runs otherwise.
a. 1639. Wotton, Lett., in Reliq. (1651), 429. Doctour Belcanquel … shall (as the voice goeth) be removed to the Deanrie of Durham.
1652. Howell, Giraffi’s Rev. Naples, II. 100. The next day the voice went up and down, that … they intended to introduce Forreign force.
† b. A piece of common or general talk; a report or rumor. Obs.
1463. in Sc. Acts, Jas. III. (1874), XII. 30/1. Þe kingis declaratioun … quhilk … þai hald sufficiant to purge þe said Alexander … of þe said voice and Rumor.
1538. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. II. 98. Ther ys a voyce that yt shulde be the Duchys of Myllayn.
a. 1540. Barnes, Wks. (1573), 330/1. There runneth a great voyce of mee, that I haue maried a wife.
1619. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), II. 156. There is a voice, that my Lord North sets forth four ships.
1639. Wotton, Lett. (1907), II. 410. We have a new strange voice flying here, that the Prince Palatine is towards a marriage.
1652. Howell, Giraffi’s Rev. Naples, II. 100. The sound of this voice went up to the Castle.
† c. Fame or renown of something. Obs.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VIII. 1138. Sum off thaim said, the queyn luffyt Wallace, For the gret woice off his hie nobilnes.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXVIII. xlvi. 707. His power increased dayly; for that the Frenchmen flocked unto him from all parts, upon the noyse and voyce of his name.
5. Gram. The form of a verb by which the relation of the subject to the action implied is indicated; one or other of the modes of inflecting or varying a verb according to the distinctions of active, passive or middle.
In quot. 1591 used instead of ‘person.’
1382. Wyclif, Prol., 57. A participle of a present tens, either preterit, of actif vois, eithir passif.
1591. Percival, Span. Dict., C 2. By changing e of the future of the Indicatiue into ia, you make the third voice of the preterimperfect tense of the Subiunctiue.
1612. Brinsley, Pos. Parts (1615), 20 b. Giue the terminations of the first Persons of the Actiue voice alone.
a. 1653. Gouge, Comm. Heb. vi. 1. The word φερώμεθα, translated ‘Let us go on,’ is of the passive voice.
1678. [see PASSIVE a. 3].
1706. J. Stevens, Sp. Dict., Sp. Gram., 15. Participle of the Present Tense and Active Voice.
1765–. [see ACTIVE a. 3].
1772. A. Adam, Gram. (1793), 20. Voice expresses the different circumstances in which wo consider an object, whether as acting, or being acted upon.
1841. Latham, Eng. Lang., 12. The characteristic … of … the Scandinavian languages is the possession of a Passive Form, or a Passive Voice, ending in st.
1858. C. P. Mason, Eng. Gram., § 180. By means either of a verb in the active voice, or of a verb in the passive voice.
1871. [see MIDDLE a. 4 a].
II. 6. In limited sense: The sounds naturally made by a single person or animal in speech or other form of vocal utterance; these sounds regarded as characteristic of the person and as distinguishing him from another or others; also freq., the individual organic means or capacity of producing such sounds.
a. In usages where this sound is taken to represent the person or being who utters it, or is regarded apart from the utterer. Freq. with verbs of saying, introducing the words uttered.
c. 1290. St. Francis, 54, in S. Eng. Leg., I. 55. Þo spac a voiz þare-inne [the cross] wel Mildeliche and softe, And seide, ‘Fraunceys, go þe forth’ [etc.].
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5750. A voys sede as hym þoȝte þes wordes … as he vel adoun.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 16633. Til þe kyng Alayn he spak, And teld hym what þe vois had seyd.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 260. A voice loude in þat liȝte to lucifer cryeth.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., lxxxiii. And there-with-all apperit vnto me A voce, and said, ‘tak hede, man, and behold.’
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XI. vi. 580. He herd a voys that said go hens thow syre Bors.
1526. Tindale, Acts x. 13. And a voyce spake vnto hym from heven: Ryse Peter Kyll and eate.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VII., 2. Men commonly reporte that … it was by a heauenly voyce reueled to Cadwalader … that [etc.].
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. vii. 36. Some … hurld vp their Caps, And some tenne voyces cry’d ‘God saue King Richard.’
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 2. A voyce forsooth was heard from heauen, saying; Now is poison powred down into the Church, &c.
1637. Milton, Lycidas, 132. Return Alpheus, the dread voice is past, That shrunk thy streams. Ibid. (1667), P. L., IV. 167. There had I fixt Mine eyes till now … Had not a voice thus warnd me.
1718. Rowe, trans. Lucan, I. 462. In secret murmurs thus they sought relief, While no bold voice proclaim’d aloud their grief.
1725. Watts, Logic, II. v. § 1. Proof of divine Revelation by Visions, Voices, or Miracles.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxx. ‘It is I,’ replied the voice.
1820. Shelley, Prometh. Unb., II. i. 101. in the world unknown Sleeps a voice unspoken.
1848. W. K. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s Hist. Ten Y., I. 423. ‘I second that proposal,’ exclaimed a voice.
1871. Tennyson, Last Tourn., 756. About his feet A voice clung sobbing till he question’d it, ‘What art thou?’ and the voice about his feet Sent up an answer, sobbing, ‘I am thy fool.’
b. In ordinary use, with a, the, this, etc., or more freq. with possessives. The Biblical passage illustrated by quot. 1382 has had some echo in recent use.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8904. And þan bigan sco for to cri Als wit a voce o propheci.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7490. As sone as he hadde made þe croyce, Þe bryde flegh furþ, and left hys voys.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xxvii. 22. The vois forsothe is the vois of Jacob, but the hondis ben the hondis of Esau.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 56. Þan cometh and crieth her owen kynde dame, And þey [the young partridges] ffolwith þe vois at þe first note.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 31. Crie, cese not, vphauns þi vois os a trompe.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 218. Compleyne your woice unto the God abuffe.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, I. vi. 173. Quhy grantis thou nocht we may joine hand in hand, And for to heir and rendir vocis trew?
1577. Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb., 149. Though the Swyne wil roame at the knowen voyce of theyr swyneheard.
1609. Douland, Ornith. Microl., 5. The sound of a sensible creature is properly called a Voyce, for things without sence haue no Voyce.
1647. Cowley, Mistr., Despair, i. Beneath this gloomy shade, By Nature only for my sorrows made I’ll spend this voyce in crys.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., X. 111. Now let us rise, for Hoarseness oft invades The Singer’s Voice, who sings beneath the Shades.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, II. viii. I admired as much at the voices of him and his men who seemed to me only to whisper.
1791. Cowper, Odyss., XII. 214. When with rapid course we had arriv’d Within such distance as a voice may reach.
1820. Keats, Isabella, vi. He inwardly did pray For power to speak; but still the ruddy tide Stifled his voice.
1831. G. P. R. James, Phil. Augustus, I. iii. He felt sure that he had stammered like a schoolboy, and spoken below his voice, like a young squire to an old knight.
1849. M. Arnold, Forsaken Merman, 12.
| Call her once before you go. | |
| Call once yet. | |
| In a voice that she will know: | |
| ‘Margaret! Margaret!’ |
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 872. The extremities become cool,… the voice sunk to a whisper, and the countenance Hippocratic.
c. With adjs. denoting the quality or tone (sometimes spec. in respect of musical quality or power).
1382. Wyclif, 1 Kings xviii. 28. Thanne thei crieden with a greet voys.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxxi. (1495), nn iv b/1. The voyce that is dysposid to songe and melody hath thyse proprytees as Isyder sayth. Voyces he sayth ben smalle, subtyll, thicke, clere, sharpe & shylle.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 12040. Vlixes … declaret hom þe cause with his clere voyc.
c. 1420. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 439. And on a rewde maner he salutyd all the rout, with a bold voyse, carpyng wordys stout.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xlvi. 105. Than sang thay both with vocis lowd and cleir.
1560. Bible (Genev.), Ezek. xxxiii. 32. A iesting song of one that hathe a pleasant voice.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, 105. To talke modestly, stilly, and with low voices.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., II. vii. 161. His bigge manly voice, Turning againe toward childish trebble. Ibid., V. iii. 14. The onely prologues to a bad voice.
1623. Cockeram, II. A Voyce as strong as if it were the noise of 100 men, stentorian voice.
1637. Scotch Prayer Bk., Morn. Prayer. Then shall the Presbyter or Minister begin the Lords prayer with a loud voyce.
1746. Francis, trans. Horace, Epist., I. viii. 20. And then … with a gentle Voice Instil this Precept at his list’ning Ear.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), III. 39. Besides painting [he] had a talent for music and a good voice.
1819. Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool., XI. I. 127. White-bellied Goura…: it has a very disagreeable and mournful voice, which is repeatedly uttered.
1846. Mrs. A. Marsh, Father Darcy, II. i. 32. ‘Come here, both of you,’ says the lady, in a deep, awful voice.
1863. Kingsley, Water-Bab., iii. 102. He … began chatting away in his squeaking voice.
transf. 1635. A. Stafford, Fem. Glory (1869), 3. Whose due Praise the Catholike Church doth at this day solemnely sing, but with a more elevated Voyce.
d. In or after Biblical phraseology, esp. the voice of God. Chiefly in fig. use and freq. = ‘the expressed will or desire of God, etc.; the divine command, ordinance, or word.’
a. 1325. Prose Ps. cv. 24 [cvi. 25]. And hij … gruched in her tabernacles, and hij ne herd nouȝt þe voice of our Lord.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 174. And there I herde and understod The vois of god with wordes cliere.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet, Prol. 70 [= Hebr. iii. 7, 8]. If þat ȝe here hys vose þis day, Turn noght ȝoure hertes fro hym oway—Bott tyll hys voce ȝe tak gude hede.
1563. Winȝet, Wks. (S.T.S.), 11. 7. That ony sentence in the haly Wreit is the voce and mynd of Christe.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 658. God so commanded, and left that Command Sole Daughter of his voice.
1691. Hartcliffe, Virtues, 371. The Voice of Nature is the Voice of God.
1730. Thomson, Hymn, 11. And oft thy voice in dreadful thunder speaks.
1781. W. Hawkins, Ode St. Cecilia’s Day, i. Chorus, 63. Music, essence holy, high,… Daughter of the voice of God.
1860. Pusey, Min. Proph., 474. They did violence to the majesty of the law, which was the very voice of God.
1870. J. H. Newman, Gram. Assent, II. x. 398. As prayer is the voice of man to God, so Revelation is the voice of God to man.
e. Used in reference to the expression of opinion or protest, or the issuing of a command.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 337. Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd Innumerable.
1720. Humourist, 23. All the Time the Business of Scandal was handling, there was not one dissenting Voice to be heard in the whole Assembly.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 329. A convention … ratified the constitution without a dissenting voice.
1827. Scott, Highl. Widow, v. Here I will abide my fate; nor is there in Scotland a voice of power enough to bid me stir from hence, and be obeyed.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ix. II. 435. When the voice of a single powerful member of the Batavian federation might have averted an event fatal to all the politics of Lewis, no such voice was raised.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), VI. xviii. 140. The voice … from Exeter was a voice raised on behalf of the House of Godwine.
f. To lose the voice, to be (temporarily) deprived of the power of using the voice for singing or speaking.
1749. Lavington, Enthus. Meth. & Papists, II. (1754), 34. A religious Nun,… famed for Skill in Music and a fine Voice, had her Voice lost by a Hoarseness for ten Years.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), I. 546. In one case, the voice was merely much weakened;… in the other,… the voice was lost altogether.
1877. Roberts, Handbk. Med., I. 353. Voice is completely lost, and cough becomes aphonic.
7. In phrases. a. With one († o, † a) voice, unanimously. † Also Sc. in one voice.
(a) c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 15030. Alle wyþ o voys Songen þey þe Letanie.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XII. 200. Vith ane voce all can thai cry—‘Gud king’ [etc.].
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1000. Þan answard him with a voice all his proud princes.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., ii. 26. Al wyth one voys gaf to hym laude and honour.
a. 1500. Lancelot, 3473. With o woys thay cry al, ‘sir knycht’ [etc.].
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 258. They with one minde and voyce gave a determinate aunswere.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., II. iii. 221. All the Greekish heads, which with one voyce Call Agamemnon Head and Generall.
1669. Dryden, Tyrannic Love, V. i. We, with one voice, salute you emperor.
1772. Junius Lett., lxviii. (1788), 357. With one voice they all condemn you.
1820. Shelley, Prometh. Unb., I. 651. The nations … cried aloud, As with one voice, Truth, liberty, and love!
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 23. All the members demanded with one voice who it was who was charged with the crime.
(b.) 1550. Abst. Protocols Town Clerks Glasgow (1894), I. 18. We the saidis devyderis … all in ane voce devyidis the said land and tenement as eftir followis.
1569. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 21. Sic boittis as the Lieutenentis in ane voce sall find gude to hald on the watter.
1604. in Chron. Perth, etc. (Maitl. Club), 69. The Session all in one voice finds the said Mr. William’s proceedings orderly done.
† b. At a voice, in accord or agreement, unanimous. Obs.–1
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), I. 144. Bes boþe at a voice, in one ȝour wille be mynde, To help þe Cristen men … Ageyn þe oste paen.
† c. In my voice, in my name. Obs. rare.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., IV. iv. 87. But what is, come see, And in my voice most welcome shall you be. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., I. ii. 185. Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends To the strict deputy.
8. a. The sound of prayer, etc.
a. 1325. Prose Ps. cxxxix. 7 [cxl. 6]. Here, Lord, þe voice of my prayere.
1388. Wyclif, Ps. vi. 9 [8]. The lord hath herd the vois of my wepyng.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 15. The vois of his preiynge, which herd was to the goddes hihe.
1551. Bible, Lev. v. 1. When a soule hath synned and herde ye voyce of cursing.
1611. Bible, Ps. xxxi. 22. Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cryed vnto thee.
1784. Cowper, Task, V. 887. ’Tis the voice of song—A loud hosanna sent from all thy works. Ibid. (1791), Iliad, XVIII. 617. And sweet was heard The voice around of Hymenæal song.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. ix. 714. From that very moment, complaint was extinguished; and the voice of praise … occupied the vacant air.
b. transf. A sound or sounds produced or emitted by something inanimate, as (a) a stream, thunder, the wind, etc., or (b) musical instruments.
(a) a. 1325. Prose Ps. xcii. 4 [xciii. 3]. Þe flodes an-heȝed her voice. Ibid., 5 [4]. Fram þe voices of mani waters. Ibid., ciii. 8 [civ. 7]. Hij shul douten of þe voice of þy þonder.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. xcii[i]. 3. The flodis rereden vp ther vois. Flodis rereden vp ther flowingis; fro the voises of manye watris.
1539. Bible (Great), Ps. lxxvii. 18. The voyce of thy thonder was hearde rounde aboute.
1611. Bible, Isaiah, lxvi. 6. A voice of noyse from the city, a voice from the Temple.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 443. With a roaring sound The rising Rivers float the nether Ground; And Rocks the bellowing Voice of boiling Seas rebound.
1784. Cowper, Task, I. 191. Upon the roar Of distant floods, or on the softer voice Of neighb’ring fountain.
1801. Scott, Glenfinlas, lx. The voice of thunder shook the wood.
1807. Wordsw., Sonn., Thought of a Briton.
| Two Voices are there; one is of the sea, | |
| One of the mountains; each a mighty Voice. |
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxvi. (1856), 211. The voices of the ice … are at this moment dinning in my ear.
(b) 1535. Coverdale, 2 Chron. v. 13. Whan the voyce arose from ye trompettes, cymbales and other instrumentes of musick.
1551. Bible, Exod. xix. 16. The voyce of ye horne waxed exceadynge lowde.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 257. Trumpet blow loud, Send thy Brasse voyce through all these lazie Tents.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 313. They must bee such as wil reioyce and gather stomacke at the voice of musicke, or trumpets.
1713. Addison, Cato, III. iii.
| O Marcus, I am warm’d, my heart | |
| Leaps at the trumpet’s voice, and burns for glory. |
1820. Shelley, Hymn Merc., lxxvii. The liquid voice Of pipes, that fills the clear air thrillingly.
1825. Longf., Sunrise on Hills, ii. 26. The wild horn, whose voice the woodland fills, Was ringing to the merry shout.
1841. Whittier, Merrimac, 66. Clearly on the calm air swells The twilight voice of distant bells.
c. In figurative use.
In the second group with reference to conscience or duty.
(a) 1382. Wyclif, Gen. iv. 10. The vois of the blood of thi brother crieth to me fro the erthe.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 104. Ye voce of his blwid cryis … to ye hewine.
1732. Pope, Hor. Sat., I. ii. 99. Unworthy he, the voice of Fame to hear.
1750. Gray, Elegy, 43. Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust? Ibid., 91. E’en from the tomb the voice of Nature cries.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. xix. 162. He dreaded that the voice of truth should be heard.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., ix. (1847), 90. Where the voice of tradition has been strong, unvarying, and continued.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr., III. ii. Came it never,… like the voice of old Eternities, far-sounding through thy heart of hearts?
(b) 1784. Cowper, Task, V. 685. The still small voice is wanted.
1796. Burke, Corr. (1844), IV. 389. I advised, that you should obey the voice of what we considered an indispensable duty.
1810. trans. Mme. Cottin’s Chevalier de Versenai, II. 110. That interior voice, that inflexible judge which speaks within us.
1870. J. H. Newman, Gram. Assent, I. v. 104. We are accustomed to speak of conscience as a voice.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 419. The voice of conscience, too, was heard, reminding the good man that he was not altogether innocent.
d. A call or cry. rare–1.
1657. S. Purchas, Pol. Flying-Ins., I. v. 12. With two or three loud voyces Ceaseth all their disports,… untill the next morning when by a like voyce they have liberty given them to play.
† 9. A word or number of words uttered or expressed in speech; a phrase, sentence or speech; a discourse or report. Obs.
13[?]. Cursor Mundi, 3806 (Gött.). And oyle he putt apon þat ston, And made to godd a voice [Cotton voo (= vow)] anon.
c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 17. It had bene mor expedient vnto þe þis day for to hafe etyn flessh in þi cell, þan for to hafe made þis voyce of þine abstinence emange so many of þi brethir.
1598. Q. Eliz., Plutarch, 130. [The] busy man … go he wyl to Jugis seates, to markets and to portz; Vsing this vois, ‘have you no newes to-day?’
1608. Yorksh. Trag., I. ii. In thy change, This voice into all places will be hurl’d: Thou and the deuill has deceaved the world.
1781. H. Blair, in Sc. Paraphr., XLIV. iii. ’Tis finish’d, was his latest voice.
† b. An articulate sound; a vocable, term or word. Obs.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 291. Some coude not saye so moche, but onely expresse suche voyces, that be not in vse to signyfye ony thynge.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 164 b. The Greke voice κλεὶς signifieth bothe a keye … and also the canell bone.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 4. A gentleman or a nobleman … (for I do wittingly confound these voices).
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, I. viii. § 9. Cethim is a voice plurall … and signifieth percussores.
1654. Jer. Taylor, Real Pres., 129. For as Aquinas said, in all sciences words signifie things, but it is proper to Theologie, that things themselves signified or expressed by voices should also signifie something beyond it.
1697. trans. Burgersdicius’ Logic, I. xxiv. 98. Of Voices … That we call Articulate which consists of so many Syllables, or Letters … So that it may be written, as, Man, Animal, &c.
10. An expression of opinion, choice or preference uttered or given by a person; a single vote, esp. one given in the election of a person to some office or position or on a matter coming for decision before a deliberative assembly. † Dumb voice (see quot c. 1618).
Very common from c. 1540 to c. 1770.
1380. in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 150/1. Paschasius gaf his voice in hy To him he wist was les wurthy.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 103. Thus grante I yow myn hole vois. Ches for ous bothen, I you preie.
1444. Rolls of Parlt., V. 105/1. Officers have ben chosen at the said Staple, by the voyces of Marchauntz, havyng goodes. Ibid. (1489), VI. 432/1. If in the said Eleccions … the Voises be divided and equall for sundry parties, then the Voise of the Maire … to stand and be reputed for two Voices in the same Election.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxlvi. 547. Than the cardynals all of one acorde assembled togyder, and their voyces rested on sir Robert of Genesue.
1549. Thomas, Hist. Italie, 79. This maner of geuyng theyr voices by ballotte is one of the laudablest thynges vsed amongest theim.
1581. Pettie, trans. Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., II. (1586), 108 b. The new Academikes that were before chosen by priuie voyces.
1606. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 62. Upon long debate in the House, and put to the question,… Oxford won it by many voices.
c. 1618. Moryson, Itin. (1903), 118. Agayne 24 are by lott sclected, who being shutt up in a chamber, may not depart till by dumb voyces, that is by divers little balls, they have chosen eight Protectours.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 846. In the year 1626 was a greater Canvas than this, there being then 1078 voices given on all Sides.
1727. Pope, etc., Art of Sinking, 123. If it should happen, that three and three should be of each side, the president shall have a casting voice.
1776. J. Adams, Wks. (1854), IX. 376. A motion is made, and carried by a majority of one voice.
1802–12. Bentham, Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827), V. 470, note. The number of persons … having a voice, as the phrase is, meaning a vote, in any assembly invested with the form of a body corporate.
1855. J. S. Watson, trans. Xenophon’s Anab., I. x. § 9, note. But on the whole, the other interpretation seems to have most voices in favour of it.
1898. Times, 12 Feb., 9/1. The speaker said he had already collected the voices, and it was now too late for the hon. member to intervene.
fig. 1781. Cowper, Conversat., 663. Though common sense, allowed a casting voice, And free from bias, must approve the choice.
† b. To put to voices, to put to the vote. Obs.
1585. in Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan. (1914), 111. Th’ act … being put to voices … past as an acte with consent of the hole howse.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 859. After this … matter had been thus … debated on both sides in the Senat, it was at last put to voices.
a. 1604. Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 123. When Herveie had made an end of his speech, they put it to voyces, and the voyces went on Herveis side.
† c. Support or approval in a suit or petition. Obs. rare.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., I. iv. 167. There’s money for thee; Let mee haue thy voice in my behalfe. Ibid. (1599), Mids. N., I. i. 54. In this kind, wanting your fathers voyce The other must be held the worthier. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., III. v. 115. Thou should’st neither want my meanes for thy releefe, nor my voyce for thy preferment.
d. A right or power to take part in the control or management of something. Chiefly in the phr. to have a voice in. Cf. 2 b.
1835. Malden, Orig. Universities, 169. The appointments to the remaining five [professorships] are of a mixed nature, but the town-council has a voice in all.
1865. J. S. Mill, in Even. Star, 10 July. It was a matter of the utmost importance that they should have a voice in the thing that was to be decided.
1888. Echo, 21 April (Cassell’s). The one thing which the labourer wants is a voice in the management of the workhouse.
11. Mus. The vocal capacity of one person in respect of its employment for musical purposes, esp. in combination with others; a person considered as the possessor of a voice so employed; a singer. Chiefly in pl.
1607. in Nichols, Progr. Jas. I. (1828), II. 107. Sixe cornets and sixe chappell-voyces were seated almost right against them.
1664. Pepys, Diary, 2 Aug. [He] hath sent for voices and painters and other persons from Italy.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 16 Nov. 1650. A concert of French music and voices.
1731. in Penny Cycl. (1840), XVI. 468/1. An oratorio in English … composed by Mr. Handel,… to be performed by a great number of voices and instruments. Ibid. (1840), 467/2. Dialogues in verse … which he caused to be performed by the most beautiful voices in Rome.
1862. Chambers’ Encycl., III. 9/2. Another Chorus of hundreds of voices, and eighty harps, which had been assembled and trained for the same occasion.
b. A vocal part in music.
1666–7. Pepys, Diary, 24 Jan. Mrs. Anne Jones,… who dances well,… and danced with great pleasure;… and then sung many things of three voices.
1706. A. Bedford, Temple Mus., iii. 55. This one Voice or Part is mentioned as the greatest Excellency of the Temple Musick.
12. The agency or means by which something specified is expressed, represented or revealed.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., lxix. 3. All toungs (the voice of soules) giue thee that due, Vttring bare truth.
1691. Hartcliffe, Virtues, 371. The Consent of Mankind is the Voice of Nature.
a. 1854. H. Reed, Lect. Brit. Poets, ii. (1857), 45. Poetry is the voice of imagination.
1867. J. H. Newman, in B. Ward, Life (1912), II. xxvii. 223. Doctrine is the voice of a religious body.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 3. The scientific reason urgently seeks instruments and a voice.
b. Applied to persons.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. ii. 19. To vs [you were] th’imagine Voyce of Heauen it selfe. Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., II. iv. 61. I (now the voyce of the recorded Law) Pronounce a sentence.
1841. Eliza Follen, Sel. Writ. Fenelon, Introd. xiii. The voice of his generation has come down to us uncontradicted, undivided, in attestation of his rare sanctity and goodness.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., cxiii. A potent voice of parliament, A pillar steadfast in the storm.
1876. Lowell, in New Princeton Rev., March, 173. This no doubt is one of the chief praises of Gray, as of other poets, that he is the voice of emotions common to all mankind.
1903. Q. Rev., April, 602. They met with no contradiction from Lord Cranborne, the present voice of the Foreign Office in the House of Commons.
III. attrib. and Comb. 13. a. Comb., chiefly objective, as voice-breaking, -production, -training sbs.; voice-crazing, -feigning, -ordering; voice-like; voice-matched adjs.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 295. To stodye more in voys-brekyng in cherche þan in deuoute syngynge.
a. 1593. Marlowe, Ovid’s Elegies, II. vi. 23. No such voice-feigning bird was on the ground.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., Wks. (Grosart), IV. 249. With reiterated solicitings, and prostrate voyce-crazing vehemencie.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. II. Babylon, 575. David’s the next, who, with the melody Of voyce-matcht fingers, draws sphear’s harmony. Ibid., IV. Columns, 715. All these Harps and Lutes … Plac’t round about her, prove in every part This is the noble, sweet, Voyce-ord’ring Art.
1842. Faber, Styrian Lake, 71. And the chattering voicelike sounds that came On the breath of the tempest swelling.
1895–6. Cal. Univ. Nebraska, 110. The development of the voice-producing muscles.
1896. Godey’s Mag., Feb., 165/2. We have methods of voice-training to overcome this.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., IV. 791. The patient must be instructed in the proper method of voice-production.
b. Simple attrib., as voice-accompaniment, -gesture, -stammer, tune, etc. Also in sense 1 g, as voice-glide, sound, stop, etc.
(a) 1842. Penny Cycl., XXII. 431/2. Voice stammer is of two kinds.
1876. Liddon, in J. O. Johnston, Life (1904), 211. The voice-accompaniment was beautiful.
1879. Whitney, Sanskrit Gram., 369. The utterances which may be classed as interjections are … in part voice-gestures, in part onomatopœias.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 181. In all cases the tunes are only voice tunes, not for instrumental performance.
(b) 1888. Sweet, Eng. Sounds, 21. In North Welsh all long high vowels are followed by an obscure voice-glide. Ibid. (1890), Primer Spoken Eng., 1. In the formation of voice sounds, such as aa in ‘father.’ Ibid., 9. Initial voice stops … have hardly any vocality in the stop itself.
14. Special combs., as † voice-asker, one who asks for the opinion of others; voice-box, the larynx; voice-figure, a figure or graphic representation of a vocal sound; voice-part, Mus., a part or melody written for the voice, a vocal part; voice-pipe, -tube, a pipe or tube for conveying the voice, a speaking tube, esp. as used on ships.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., xiv. 317. Much lesse did Paul make him [Timothy] *voice-asker, to knowe whether it should please the Presbyters to haue these things done, or no.
1912. A. Keith, Human Body, i. 16. The windpipe has already been exposed, and is seen issuing from the *voice-box or larynx below the chin.
1891. Marg. Watts Hughes, in Century Mag., May, 37/1. The peculiar forms shown in the illustrations of this article, and which I call *Voice-Figures.
1903. Daily Chron., 3 June, 5/2. The range and variety of the Voice Figures correspond to the scope of the human voice.
1600. J. Pory, trans. Leo’s Africa, III. 144. Certaine minstrels and singers, which by turnes sometimes vse their instruments and sometimes *voice-musicke.
1869. Gore Ouseley, Counterp. Canon & Fugue, xv. 111. When the canon is produced simply between two *voice-parts, it is called ‘two in one.’
1897. Sir A. Sullivan, in Strand Mag., Dec., 654/1. Then the voice parts are written out by the copyist, and the rehearsals begin.
1893. Daily News, 20 Feb., 5/5. *Voice pipes have, according to this authority, ‘failed utterly on board ships.’
1895. Review of Rev., Aug., 219. Receiving orders only by *voice-tube transmitted from the deck.
1899. F. T. Bullen, Way Navy, 91. Electric wires, telephones, voice tubes, and engines of every sort.
