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say

Pronunciation: /seɪ/

The English word “say” has 17 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To pronounce.
  2. To recite.
  3. To tell, either verbally or in writing.
  4. To indicate in a written form.
  5. To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact.
  6. Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis.
  7. To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
  8. To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker.
  9. To try; to assay.

noun

  1. A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision.
  2. A type of fine cloth similar to serge.
  3. Trial by sample; assay; specimen.
  4. Tried quality; temper; proof.
  5. Essay; trial; attempt.
  6. A strainer for milk.

adverb

  1. For example; let us assume.

interjection

  1. Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion

Etymology

From Middle English saien, sain, san, secgan, segen, seien, sein, seiȝen, sugen, sægen, ziggen, from Old English seċġan, secgean, secggan, secggean, seggan, sæċġan (“to say, speak”), from Proto-West Germanic *saggjan, from Proto-Germanic *sagjaną (“to say”), from Proto-Indo-European *sokʷ-h₁-yé-, a suffixed o-grade form of *sekʷ- (“to say”). Cognates Cognate with North Frisian sai, seede, sii,…

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.