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To be on speaking terms

Speaking \Speak"ing\, a.

  1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.

  2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness.

    A speaking acquaintance, a slight acquaintance with a person, or one which merely permits the exchange of salutations and remarks on indifferent subjects.

    Speaking trumpet, an instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet, by which the sound of the human voice may be so intensified as to be conveyed to a great distance.

    Speaking tube, a tube for conveying speech, especially from one room to another at a distance.

    To be on speaking terms, to be slightly acquainted.

Usage examples of "to be on speaking terms".

Thorpe, most happy to be on speaking terms with a man of General Tilney's importance, had been joyfully and proudly communicative.

We are not to be on speaking terms, nor bowing terms, for the time to come.

The first, to clear the names of the two love birds next door: that's not important at this stage but they're sensitive souls and I think they'd like to be on speaking terms with the rest of the company again.

He must have found it particularly inconvenient not to be on speaking terms with his prime minister and arch-chancellor, whom he had banished to the opposite side of the island on pain of death.