bespeak

To speak about; tell of; relate; discuss.archaicformaltransitive

• [They] bespoke dangers […] in order to scare the allies.

To speak for beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for; order, commission, reserve or arrange for something to be made in advance.datedtransitive

• '[…] I am come here to bespeak Fanny a seal […]'
• concluding, naturally, that to gratify his avarice was to bespeak his favour

To stipulate, solicit, ask for, or request, as in a favour.transitive

• to bespeak a calm hearing
• I bespeak your patience in advance.

To forbode; foretell.archaictransitive

To speak to; address.archaicpoetictransitive

• Then ſtaring on her with a ghaſtly Look, / And hollow Voice, he thus the Queen beſpoke.
• Spurring his horse, he galloped down to the shore and bespoke them.

To betoken; show; indicate; depict; foretell; suggest; allude to.transitive

• This act bespeaks his kindness.

To speak up or out; exclaim; speak.intransitive

A request for a specific performance; a benefit performance, by a patron.archaic

• "By the bye, I've been thinking of bringing out that piece of yours on her bespeak night." "When?" asked Nicholas. "The night of her bespeak. Her benefit night. When her friends and patrons bespeak the play." "Oh! I understand," replied Nic