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3 PHRASE You can say speaking of something that has just been mentioned as a way of introducing a new topic which has some connection with that thing. □ [+ of ] There's plenty of time to drop hints for Christmas presents! And speaking of presents, we have 100 exclusive fragrance collections to give away.

4 PHRASE You use speaking in expressions such as generally speaking and technically speaking to indicate which things or which particular aspect of something you are talking about. □  Generally speaking there was no resistance to the idea. □  Politically speaking, do you think that these moves have been effective?

-speaking /-spiːk I ŋ/ COMB [ADJ n] -speaking combines with nouns referring to languages to form adjectives which indicate what language someone speaks, or what language is spoken in a particular region. □  Lessons with English-speaking instructors can be booked and paid for in the resort. □  …in the mainly French-speaking province of Quebec.

spear /sp I ə ^r / (spears , spearing , speared )

1 N‑COUNT A spear is a weapon consisting of a long pole with a sharp metal point attached to the end.

2 VERB If you spear something, you push or throw a pointed object into it. □ [V n] Spear a piece of fish with a carving fork and dip it in the batter.

3 N‑COUNT Asparagus or broccoli spears are individual stalks of asparagus or broccoli.

spear|head /sp I ə ^r hed/ (spearheads , spearheading , spearheaded ) VERB If someone spearheads a campaign or an attack, they lead it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] She is spearheading a national campaign against bullying.

spear|mint /sp I ə ^r m I nt/ N‑UNCOUNT Spearmint is a plant whose leaves have a strong smell and taste. It is often used for flavouring foods, especially sweets.

spec /spe k/ (specs )

1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Someone's specs are their glasses. [INFORMAL ] □  …a young businessman in his specs and suit.

2 N‑COUNT The spec for something, especially a machine or vehicle, is its design and the features included in it. [INFORMAL ] □  The standard spec includes stainless steel holding tanks.

3 PHRASE If you do something on spec , you do it hoping to get something that you want, but without being asked or without being certain to get it. [INFORMAL ] □  When searching for a job Adrian favours networking and writing letters on spec.

spe|cial ◆◆◆ /spe ʃ ^ə l/ (specials )

1 ADJ Someone or something that is special is better or more important than other people or things. □  You're very special to me, darling. □  There are strong arguments for holidays at Easter and Christmas because these are special occasions. □  The famous author was going to be a special guest lecturer on the campus.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Special means different from normal. □  The committee can waive this three-year rule in special cases. □  So you didn't notice anything special about him?

3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use special to describe someone who is officially appointed or who has a particular position specially created for them. □  He is a special correspondent for Newsweek magazine.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] Special institutions are for people who have serious physical or mental problems. □  Police are still searching for a convicted rapist, who escaped from Broadmoor special hospital yesterday.