vbl. sb. [f. SPEECH sb.1 or v.] The action or practice of making speeches; the art of speaking; a speech.
1664. J. Wilson, A. Commenius, I. i. You’ve such a knack at speeching.
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., II. ii. This vile Speeching, This After-game of Words is what most irks me.
1771–2. Ess. fr. Batchelor (1773), I. 143. For God’s sake reserve it for the house, I shall hear more than enough of speeching if ever we meet there.
1820. Keats, Cap & Bells, iv. An audience had, and speeching done, they gain Their point.
1857. J. Brown, Lett. (1907), 113. Have you looked at the speechings of that infinite Swell and Snob?
attrib. 1824. in Spirit Public Jrnls. (1825), 288. Had doughty beadles … chaced Ev’ry poor puppy that at greatness scowled, I fear my speeching talent had been waste.
So Speeching ppl. a., speech-making.
a. 1734. North, Examen, I. ii. § 71 (1740), 67. But it seems the House of Peers thought fit to send the four speeching Lords to the Tower.
1808. Moore, Corruption, ii. 28. A few crank arguments for speeching lords.
