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utterance

noun

  1. smallest unit of speech
L329997 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈʌtəɹəns/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English outraunce, utteraunce, from Old French outrance (see outrance).

  1. The utmost extremity, especially of a fight; bodily harm or death.

    “Among champions and such as strive for the masterie in feats of activitie, we count those for their adversaries and concurrents onely, who professe and practise the same kinde of game or exercise; for those that goe to it with fists and buffers, are commonly friends good enough to such sword-fencers as fight at sharpe to the utterance, and well-willers to the champions called Pancratiastae.”

    “To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th' utterance.”