bespeak

[ bih-speek ]

/ bɪˈspik /

to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader's patience.

to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: to bespeak a seat in a theater.

Literary. to speak to; address.

to show; indicate: This bespeaks a kindly heart.

Obsolete. to foretell; forebode.

Origin of bespeak

before 900; Middle English bespeken, Old English besprecan. See be-, speak

I don't know a better lad in the world, and I desire to bespeak your good will for him.

VC -- A Chronicle of Castle Barfield and of the Crimea |David Christie Murray
Luckily, I had waited a sentence or two outside the door, or I should have had no clue to bespeak a continuance of the subject.

Secresy |E. (Eliza) Fenwick
At the first sound of his voice, low and subdued though it was, Miss Piper held up her finger to bespeak silence.

That Unfortunate Marriage, Vol. 1(of 3) |Frances Eleanor Trollope
I bespeak for it a place in every public and home library in the Northwest.

The Washington Historical Quarterly, Volume V, 1914 |Various

There are certain little courteous observances, certain social formalities that bespeak the true lady, the true gentlemen.

Book of Etiquette |Lillian Eichler

bespeak

/ (bɪˈspiːk) /

to engage, request, or ask for in advance

to indicate or suggest this act bespeaks kindness

poetic to speak to; address

archaic to foretell