a. 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.
1483. Cath. Angl., 353/1. Spekabylle, effabilis. Ibid., 379/1. Tellabylle, vbi spekabylle.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph., I. (Arb.), 56. Heaping othes upon othes, one in a nothers necke, moost horrible and not spekeable.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1318/1. Pining with more than speakeable passions.
a. 1684. Leighton, Comm. 1 Pet. Wks. (1859), 32/2. The best worldly joys are easily speakable.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. VI. iii. If no speakable charge exist against a man.
1889. F. 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.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 563. Redouble then this miracle, and say, How cam’st thou speakable of mute?
1676. Mace, Musicks Mon., 109. It will seem to speak the word Tut, so plainly, as if it were a Living Creature, Speakable.
Hence Speakably adv.
1845. Mrs. Browning, Lett. (1899), I. 4. Mr. Kenyon—who most unspeakably, or only speakably with tears in my eyes—has been my friend.
