utter

utter

utter¹ [ut′ər]

adj.

[ME < OE uttera, compar. of ut, OUT]

1. complete; total

2. unqualified; absolute; unconditional

utterly

adv.

utterness

n.

utter² [ut′ər]

vt.

[ME uttren < utter, outward: see UTTER¹]

1. to give out; put forth: now used only of the passing of counterfeit money or forged checks

2. to produce, speak, or express audibly (speech sounds, syllables, words, thoughts, etc.)

3. to express in any way

4. to emit (nonvocal sounds), as if speaking

5. to make known; divulge; reveal

6. Obs. to publish (a book, etc.)

7. Obs. to sell (goods, etc.)

vi.

to speak or converse

utterable

adj.

utterer

n.

SYN.- UTTER¹ implies the communication of an idea or feeling by means of vocal sounds, such as words, exclamations, etc. [he uttered a sigh of relief ]; EXPRESS, the broadest of these terms, suggests a revealing of ideas, feelings, one's personality, etc. by means of speech, action, or creative work [to express oneself in music ]; VOICE suggests expression through words, either spoken or written [voicing one's opinions in letters to the editor ]; BROACH suggests the utterance or mention of an idea to someone for the first time [I'll broach the subject to her at dinner ]; ENUNCIATE suggests the announcement or open attestation of some idea [to enunciate a theory, doctrine, etc. ]