Spake: meaning, definitions and examples

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spake

 

[ speษชk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Spake is an archaic term that serves as the past tense of the verb 'speak.' It is used predominantly in literary contexts to evoke a sense of antiquity or formality. Though not commonly used in contemporary English, it can be found in classical literature and poetry.

Synonyms

articulated, expressed, spoke.

Examples of usage

  • He spake of times long past.
  • In the tales of old, she spake wisely.
  • They spake to the gathered crowd with passion.

Translations

Translations of the word "spake" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น falou

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเฅ‹เคฒเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sprach

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berbicara

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะบะฐะทะฐะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mรณwiล‚

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฉฑใ—ใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท parla

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ hablรณ

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท konuลŸtu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งํ–ˆ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุญุฏุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mluvil

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hovoril

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ govoril

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ talaรฐi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัำฉะนะปะตะณะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒฅแƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ danฤฑลŸdฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ hablรณ

Etymology

The word 'spake' is derived from Middle English 'spaken' and Old English 'specan,' which means 'to speak.' It has its roots in Germanic languages, reflecting the evolution of the English language over centuries. The form 'spake' was more commonly used in earlier English literature but has fallen out of regular use in modern English. Its historical significance lies in its representation of the earlier grammatical structure of English, where strong verbs like 'speak' underwent vowel changes to indicate past tense. As the English language evolved, many of these strong verbs adopted simpler regular forms, leading to the predominance of 'spoke' in contemporary usage. Thus, 'spake' serves as a linguistic artifact, showcasing the richness and variety of English's verbal history.