sprecan

Alternative forms

• spreocan, specan (later form)

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *sprekaną (“to speak, make a noise”), from Proto-Indo-European *spreg- (“to make a sound, speak”). Compare Proto-Indo-European *sperHg- (“to make a noise”). Cognate with Old Frisian spreka (West Frisian sprekke), Old Saxon sprekan (Middle Low German spreken), Dutch spreken, Old High German sprehhan (German sprechen), Old Norse spraka (“to crackle, rustle”), Albanian shpreh (“to utter, express, voice”). Related to Old English ġesprecen, Old High German gisprāchi, Old Norse spraki (“rumour, report”), and German Gespräch.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsprekɑn/

Verb

sprecan

1. to speak, talk