talk

talk [tôk]

vi.

[ME talken (akin to Fris, to chatter), prob. freq. based on OE talian, to reckon, akin to talu,TALE]

1.

a) to put ideas into, or exchange ideas by, spoken words; speak; converse

b) to express something in words; make a statement (of, on, about, etc. something)

2. to express ideas by speech substitutes [to talk by signs]

3. to speak emptily or trivially; chatter

4. to gossip

5. to confer; consult

6. to make noises suggestive of speech

7. to reveal secret information; esp., to confess or inform on someone

8. to make a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one

vt.

1. to put into spoken words; utter

2. to use in speaking [to talk Spanish, to talk slang]

3.

a) to speak about; discuss [to talk sports]

b) Informal to speak of (something impressive, remarkable, expensive, etc.): usually in prp. [we're talking high prices]

4. to put into a specified condition, state of mind, etc. by talking [to talk oneself hoarse]

n.

1.

a) the act of talking; speech

b) conversation, esp. of an informal nature

2. a speech, esp. a somewhat informal one

3. [often pl.] a formal discussion; conference

4. rumor; gossip

5. the subject of conversation, gossip, etc.

6. empty or frivolous remarks, discussion, or conversation

7. a particular kind of speech; dialect; lingo

8. sounds, as by an animal, suggestive of speech

SYN.- SPEAK, SPEECH

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big talk

Slang bragging or boasting talk

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have a talk with

to admonish or caution

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make talk

1. to talk idly, as in an effort to pass time

2. to cause gossip

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talk around

to talk (a person) over; persuade

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talk at

to speak to in a way that indicates a response is not really desired

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talk away

1. to pass (a period of time) by talking

2. to talk continuously; chatter

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☆ talk back

to answer impertinently or rudely

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talk big

Slang to boast; brag

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talk down

1. to silence by talking louder, longer, or more effectively than

2. to aid (a pilot) in landing by giving spoken instructions

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talk down to

to talk in a patronizing way to, as by using pointedly simple speech

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talk into

to persuade (someone) to do something

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talk out

to discuss (a problem, etc.) at length in an effort to reach an understanding

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talk out of

to dissuade (someone) from doing something

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talk over

1. to have a conversation about; discuss

2. to win (a person) over to one's view by talking; persuade

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talk someone's arm off or talk someone's ear off or talk someone's leg off

Slang to talk to someone at great length or without pause

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talk up

☆ 1. to promote or praise in discussion

2. to speak loudly and clearly

☆ 3. to speak boldly, frankly, etc.

talker

n.