Old English besprecan "speak about, speak against, complain," from be- + sprecan "to speak" (see speak (v.)). A common Germanic compound (cognates: Old Saxon bisprecan, Dutch bespreken, Old High German bisprehhan, German besprechen); originally "to call out," it evolved a wide range of meaning in English, including "speak up," "oppose," "request," "discuss, "arrange," and "to order (goods)" (1580s).
The connection of the senses is very loose; some of them appear to have arisen quite independently of each other from different applications of BE- pref. [OED]
双语例句
1. He raised his head to bespeak his son's wish.
他抬头问他儿子的愿望.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
2. Today's events bespeak future tragedy.
今天的事件预示着未来的不幸.
来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
3. Her house, her style of living, all bespeak an exceeding good income.
