speakable

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle English spekabyll; equivalent to speak +‎ -able.

Adjective

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speakable (not comparable)

  1. That can be spoken; utterable, verbalizable.
  2. 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.
  3. (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 []