Expressed in speech rather than writing; communicated orally. Also the past participle of 'speak,' referring to words that have been uttered.
From Old English 'specan' meaning 'to speak' with the past participle form 'spoken.' Related to Old High German 'sprehhan' and ultimately from Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'to speak.'
The distinction between spoken and written language is relatively recent in human history - most languages existed only in spoken form for millennia. Even today, spoken language develops and changes much faster than written forms, making it the true engine of linguistic evolution.
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