utterance 1[uht-er-uh ns] ExamplesWord Origin noun
- an act of uttering; vocal expression.
- manner of speaking; power of speaking: His very utterance was spellbinding.
- something uttered; a word or words uttered; a cry, animal’s call, or the like.
- Linguistics. any speech sequence consisting of one or more words and preceded and followed by silence: it may be coextensive with a sentence.
- Obsolete. a public sale of goods.
Origin of utterance 1 late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at utter1, -ance utterance 2[uht-er-uh ns] noun Archaic.
- the utmost extremity, especially death.
Origin of utterance 2 1350–1400; Middle English Old French outrance, oultrance, equivalent to oultr(er) to pass beyond (Latin ultrā beyond) + -ance -ance Related Words for utterances pronouncement, assertion, saying, sentence, ejaculation, vent, rant, announcement, discourse, speech, oration, statement, reply, vociferation, speaking, articulation, delivery, vocalization, recitation, words Examples from the Web for utterances Contemporary Examples of utterances
Less reliable reports based on utterances of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood allies indicated Morsi’s been cut off from communication.
Ali Gharib
July 3, 2013
He knew exactly what he was saying and, unlike most Romneyan utterances, he sounded like he really meant it.
The 47 Percent, Offense, and Defense
Michael Tomasky
October 5, 2012
Greenspan cultivated an oracular air, his utterances vague and technocratic yet hinting at shamanistic powers.
Zachary Karabell
December 6, 2010
But his utterances on Sunday demonstrated only that his unerring talent for blandness will do little to get America back to work.
Geithner’s Feckless Jobs Remedy
Harold Evans
July 26, 2010
Historical Examples of utterances
It assumes to be prophetical, and its utterances are oracular.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)
John Greenleaf Whittier
And of all that read about Shakspere there are few whom more than one or two utterances have reached.
George MacDonald
He is as gentle in his manner as he is convincing in his utterances.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 25, January 1893
Various
Surely that which flourishes in great minds, and by their utterances is made plain.
John Galsworthy
Loud and full were the utterances of praise that this munificence evoked.
Charles James Lever
British Dictionary definitions for utterances utterance 1 noun
- something uttered, such as a statement
- the act or power of uttering or the ability to utter
- logic philosophy an element of spoken language, esp a sentenceCompare inscription (def. 4)
utterance 2 noun
- archaic, or literary the bitter end (esp in the phrase to the utterance)
Word Origin for utterance C13: from Old French oultrance, from oultrer to carry to excess, from Latin ultrā beyond Word Origin and History for utterances utterance n.