Etymology PIE word *úd The adjective is derived from Middle English outre, utter, uttre (“situated on the outside of, exterior”), from Old English ūtera (“exterior, outer”, literally “more out”), the comparative form of ūt (“out”). Piecewise doublet of outer. The noun is derived from the adjective.
1
To the furthest or most extreme extent; absolute, complete, total, unconditional.
utter bliss utter darkness utter ruin
Oh VVarvvicke, VVarvvicke, I foreſee vvith greefe / The vtter loſſe of all the Realme of France.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv], page 117, column 2:
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But thou art altogether giuen ouer: and vvert indeede but for the light in thy face, the ſonne of vtter darkneſſe.c. 1597 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The History of Henrie the Fourth; […], quarto edition, London: […] P[eter] S[hort] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1598, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], signature G2, verso:
[T]here are Phlegeton and Pyriphlegeton, that fall in vvith Cocytus (burning Riuers) In vvhich (tho they be dreadfull to looke vpon) are no vtter danger: If the Ferryman vvaft you ſafely, ouer the vvaters of Repentance, othervviſe theſe hot liquors vvill ſcalde you.1606, Tho[mas] Dekker, “The Deuill Let Loose, with His Answere to Pierce Pennylesse”, in Newes from Hell; […], London: […] R. B[lower, S. Stafford, and Valentine Simmes] for W. Ferebrand, […], →OCLC, signature [G4], recto:
And ſhould Gods eare, / VVhich needs not man, be ty'd to thoſe / VVho heare not him, but quickly heare / His utter foes?[1633], George Herbert, “The Method”, in [Nicholas Ferrar], editor, The Temple. Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel; and are to be sold by Francis Green, […], →OCLC, page 127:
That vvhich I vvould novv infer from hence is, the utter impoſſibility of the Greeks giving us any certain account of ancient times, […]1662, Edward Stillingfleet, “The Obscurity and Defect of Ancient History”, in Origines Sacræ, or A Rational Account of the Grounds of Christian Faith, […], London: […] R[obert] W[hite] for Henry Mortlock […], →OCLC, book I, page 21:
Two cups of utter silver wrought and rough with imagery / I give you, which my father took from wracked Arisbe's hold; […]1876, Virgil, “Book IX”, in William Morris, transl., The Æneids of Virgil: Done into English Verse, London: Ellis and White, […], →OCLC, page 254, lines 262–263:
3
Of decisions, replies, etc.: made in an unconditional or unqualified manner; decisive, definite.
There could not then be any other eſtimate made of the loſs VValler ſuſtain'd, than by the not purſuing the viſible advantage he had, and by the utter refuſal of the Auxiliary Regiments of London and Kent, to march farther; […]1704, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, book VIII, in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. […], volume II, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the [Sheldonian] Theater, page 475:
4
Obsolete, Poetic Further out than another thing; being the exterior or outer part of something; outer, outward; also, extremely remote.
Except literary
at the utter extremities of
Wo be to you ſcrybꝭ [scrybis]⸝ ãd phariſes ypocritꝭ [ypocritis]⸝ for ye make clene the vtter ſide off the cuppe⸝ and off the platter: but with in they are full of brybery and exceſſe.1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew xxiij:[25], folio xxxiij, recto:
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And vvhile you in Time of divine Sacrifice, do faithfully and humbly, both in Heart and utter Geſture, agnize, reverence, and adore the ſame Fleſh in Subſtance, altho' unviſibly in the Sacrament, […] you thus doing, blaſpheme ſo great Myſtery, repute the Fleſh vvhereby I vvas redeemed, and the Blood of Chriſt vvhereby I vvas to be ſanctified, as a Thing common and pollute; […]1558 (date written), John Strype, quoting [John White], “Num[ber] LXXXI. A Sermon Preached at the Funerals of Queen Mary: By the Bishop of Winchester.”, in Historical Memorials, Ecclesiastical and Civil, of Events under the Reign of Queen Mary I. […], volume III, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson, for John Wyat, […], published 1721, →OCLC, page 279:
[A]n hidden moth / The inner garment frett, not th’vtter touch; […]1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 34, page 214:
Lyke the Geometritians, they ſquare about poynts and lynes, and the vtter ſhevv of things.1593, Tho[mas] Nashe, Christs Teares Over Ierusalem. […], London: […] Iames Roberts, and are to be solde by Andrewe Wise, […], →OCLC, folio 68, verso:
So forth vvithout impediment I paſt, / Till to the Bridges vtter gate I came: […]1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IIII, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 12, page 142:
And although it [Persia] has ſince then been ruined and reigned ouer by Princes of many Nations, yet they haue neuer altered the Dialect from its vtter ſence, at this day being cald Pharſee: […]1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “A Discourse of the Life and Habit of the Persians at this Present”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, page 144:
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Obsolete, Rare Succeeding all others; final, last, ultimate.
Our vtter houre is come alas, fell deſtinies death hath brought.1555 July (date written; Gregorian calendar), Virgil, “The Seconde Booke”, in Thomas Phaer, transl., The Seuen First Bookes of the Eneidos of Virgill, Conuerted in Englishe Meter […], London: […] Ihon Kyngston, for Richard Jugge, […], published 7 June 1558 (Gregorian calendar), →OCLC, signature [D.iij.], verso:
Etymology PIE word *úd The adjective is derived from Middle English outre, utter, uttre (“situated on the outside of, exterior”), from Old English ūtera (“exterior, outer”, literally “more out”), the comparative form of ūt (“out”). Piecewise doublet of outer. The noun is derived from the adjective.
1
Rare The thing which is most utter (adjective sense) or extreme.
I take my leave, readie to countervaile all your courtesies to the utter of my power.1584 August 4 (date written; Gregorian calendar), John Aubrey, quoting Walter Raleigh, “Sir Walter Raleigh (1552–1618)”, in Andrew Clark, editor, ‘Brief Lives,’ Chiefly of Contemporaries, […], volume II (I–Y), Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, published 1898, →OCLC, page 192:
utter
verb
Etymology
PIE word *úd From Middle English outren, utteren (“to display for sale; to market; to sell; to say, speak; to put into words, express, tell; to make known, reveal”), partly: * from outre, utter (adjective, adverb) (see etymology 1 and etymology 3) + -en (suffix forming the infinitives of verbs); and * from Middle Dutch uteren (“to announce, make known”) (modern Dutch uiteren); or from Middle Low German üteren, ütern (“to demonstrate, show; to speak; to sell; etc.”) (modern Low German ütern), from Old Dutch or Old Saxon ūtan, probably from Proto-West Germanic *ūtanā (“from outside or without; outside of”). Compare Middle High German ūzeren, whence German äußern (“to express, say, utter”))
Sometimes preceded by forth, out, etc.: to produce (a cry, speech, or other sounds) with the voice.
Don’t you utter another word!
I utter my langage or my voyce Ie profere, prime cõiuga. After your audyence utter your langage: Selon voſtre audiẽce profere; voſtre langaige.1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio ccclxxxxix, verso, column 2; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
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VViſdome cryeth vvithout: ſhe vttereth her voyce in the ſtretes.1560, [William Whittingham et al., transl.], The Bible and Holy Scriptures Conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. […] (the Geneva Bible), Geneva: […] Rouland Hall, →OCLC, Prouerbes I:20, folio 267, verso:
[T]here my fathers graue / Did vtter forth a voice.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 71, column 1:
O Maſter: if you did but heare the Pedler at the doore, […] hee ſinges ſeuerall Tunes, faſter then you'l tell money: hee vtters them as he had eaten ballads, and all mens eares grevv to his Tunes.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], page 292, column 2:
In reason's ear, they [stars] all rejoice, / And utter forth a glorious voice, / For ever singing, as they shine, / The hand that made us is divine.1712 September 2 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “FRIDAY, August 23, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 466; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 295:
2
To verbally express or report (a desire or emotion, an idea or thought, etc.).
Theeſe woords, vplifting both his hands, he to Iuppiter vttred.1582, Virgil, “The Fourth Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 98:
VVhom ſhe all careleſſe of his griefe conſtrayned / to vtter forth th' anguiſh of his hart: […]1595, Edmunde Spenser [i.e., Edmund Spenser], “[Amoretti.] Sonnet XLVIII”, in Amoretti and Epithalamion. […], London: […] [Peter Short] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, signature D, verso:
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A clap thy ſelfe my Loue; then didſt thou vtter, / I am yours for euer.c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 278, column 2:
For thy mouth vttereth thine iniquitie, and thou chooſeſt the tongue of the craftie.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 15:5, column 1:
And vve read alſo of the like ceremony of Conſecration of Temples amongſt the Heathen, as that the Prieſt laid his Hands on ſome poſt of the Temple, all the vvhile he vvas uttering the vvords of Conſecration.1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of Power Ecclesiasticall”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […] [William Wilson] for Andrew Crooke, […], →OCLC, 3rd part (Of a Christian Common-wealth), page 296:
The multitude of Angels vvith a ſhout / Loud as from numbers vvithout number, ſvveet / As from bleſt voices, uttering joy, […]1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature [I4], verso, lines 345–347:
3
To express (oneself) in speech or writing.
[N]ovv and then nature is a fault, and this good gueſt of ours takes ſoyle in an unperfect body, and ſo is ſlackned from ſhevving her vvonders, like an excellent Muſician vvhich cannot utter himſelf upon a defective inſtrument.a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “An Essay on Death, […]”, in The Remaines of the Right Honorable Francis Lord Verulam […], London: […] B. Alsop, for Lawrence Chapman, […], published 1648, →OCLC, page 9:
[A]t present several of our men of the town, and particularly those who have been polished in France, make use of the most coarse uncivilized words in our language, and utter themselves often in such a manner as a clown would blush to hear.1711 July 27 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “MONDAY, July 17, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 119; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 136:
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I had tried to write a poetical epitaph, but in vain: my feelings refused to utter themselves in rhyme.1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “Grave Reflections of a Disappointed Man”, in Tales of a Traveller, part 2 (Buckthorne and His Friends), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC, page 169:
Straying with Hilda through those long vistas of ideal beauty, he meant, at last, to utter himself upon that theme which lovers are fain to discuss in village-lanes, in wood-paths, on seaside sands, in crowded streets; […]1860, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Extinction of a Lamp”, in The Marble Faun: Or, The Romance of Monte Beni. […], volume II, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC, page 203:
4
Figuratively Of a thing: to produce (a noise or sound); to emit.
Sally’s car uttered a hideous shriek when she applied the brakes.
5
Obsolete To disclose or reveal (something secret or unknown); to bring to light.
He that vttereth my counſayle ones I wyll neuer truſte hym whyle I lyue: […]1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan Haukyns, →OCLC, 3rd boke, folio ccclxxxix, verso, column 2; reprinted Geneva: Slatkine Reprints, October 1972, →OCLC:
Silanus the Sooth-ſayer, vvho had vttered Xenophons purpoſe, vvas hereby ſtaied from out-running his fellovves, and driuen to abide vvith his vvealth among poore men, longer than ſtood vvith his good liking.1614, Walter Ralegh [i.e., Walter Raleigh], “Of the Expedition of Cyrus the Yonger”, in The Historie of the World […], London: […] William Stansby for Walter Burre, […], →OCLC, 3rd book, §. XIII (Of Dissention which Arose in the Armie; and How It was Embarked), page 125:
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[W]ith vvhat gravity and Majeſty of ſpeech his Tongue and Pen uttered Heavenly Myſteries; […]1670, Izaak Walton, quoting John Spenser, “The Life of Mr. Rich[ard] Hooker, the Author of Those Learned Books of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity”, in The Lives of Dr. John Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, Mr. Richard Hooker, Mr. George Herbert. […], volume III, London: […] Tho[mas] Newcomb for Rich[ard] Marriott, […], →OCLC, page 88:
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Also, Obsolete To disclose or reveal the identity or nature of (oneself or someone, or something).
[W]hẽ the vnclene ſpritꝭ ſawe him⸝ they fell doune before him⸝ and cryed ſayinge: thou arte the ſonne of God: And he ſtreyghtly charged thẽ that they ſhulde not vtter him.1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Mark iij:[12], folio xlvij, recto:
And Joſeph coude no longer refrayne before all them that ſtode about him⸝ but commaunded that they ſhuld goo all out from him⸝ and that there ſhuld be no man with him, whyle he vttred him ſelfe [i.e., disclosed his true identity] vnto his brethern.1530 January 27 (Gregorian calendar), W[illiam] T[yndale], transl., [The Pentateuch] (Tyndale Bible), Malborow [Marburg], Hesse: […] Hans Luft [actually Antwerp: Johan Hoochstraten], →OCLC, Genesis xlv:[1], folio lxvij, recto:
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[T]he holy euangelyſt ſaynt John, whome Chriſte ſo tenderly loued, […] and to hym ſecretely he vttred the falſe diſſimuled traytor [Judas Iscariot], […] declareth here what a maner of faithful louer our holy ſauyour was, of whome hym ſelfe was ſo beloued.1534 (date written), Thomas More, “A Treatice vpon the Passion of Chryste (Vnfinished) […]. The Cõtext of Maister [Jean] Gerson whereof Fyrst the Rubrice [The Fyft Lecture].”, in Marye Basset [i.e., Mary Basset], transl., edited by Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, page 1305, column 2:
This lokyng about of Jeſus, was a geſture of hym that courteouſly requyred a confeſſion of the benefite receiued. He woulde not vtter her by name, leſte he ſhoulde haue ſemed to haue hit her in the teethe, wyth the good turne he dyd her. The woman, of a womanlye ſhamefaſteneſſe, and not of any vnthankfullneſſe, helde her peace.1549 February 10 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1548), Erasmus, “The Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Gospell of Sainct Marke. The .v. Chapter.”, in Thomas Key [i.e., Thomas Caius], transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, →OCLC, folios xxxix, recto – xxxix, verso:
[…] God […] hath voutſafed to vtter himſelfe vnto vs in his Scriptures: […]1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “That in the Onely One Essence or Substance of God there are Three Persons which We Call the Trinitie”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the Trewnesse of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] [John Charlewood and] George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC, page 54:
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Also, Obsolete To display or show (itself or something).
[H]e [Jesus] ſhewed and vſed hymſelfe the moſte loweſt and meaneſte of al creatures, yet dyd he hyde within hym a ſecrete power of the nature of the godhed, which thã [than (i.e., then)] ⁊ neuer afore vttred it ſelfe, whan the grayne of his bodye was bruiſed on the croſſe: ⁊ was in deathe (as it were) burried within the grounde.1549 February 10 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1548), Erasmus, “The Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Ghospell of S. Luke. The .xvii. Chapter.”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, →OCLC, folio cxli, recto:
[…] Iuno, the Princeſſe, / Theare the pate, in digging, of an horſe intractabil vttred.1582, Virgil, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 17:
8
To speak.
The Souereyne and vnutterable God, is the Originall of all things; next vnto vvhom is his Prouidence as a ſecond God, vvho giueth the lavv aſvvell for the temporall as for the eternall life. And furthermore, there is a third ſubſtance as a ſecond Vnderſtanding, vvhich is the keeper of the ſayd eternall Lavve. The higheſt God commaundeth, the ſecond ordereth, and the third vttereth or publiſheth.1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “That the Philosophie of Old Tyme Consenteth to this Doctrine of the Trinitie”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the Trewnesse of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] [John Charlewood and] George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC, page 94:
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conſcience, above all liberties.1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 35:
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"Don’t worry about me," he uttered with minimum lip movement.1995, Rohinton Mistry, “The Bright Future Clouded”, in A Fine Balance, Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, →ISBN, page 528:
9
Of words, etc.: to be spoken.
[Y]ea many gods, / Had voices more than all the winds, with power / To exhilarate the spirit, and to soothe, / Through every clime, the heart of human kind. / While this was uttering, strange as it may seem, / I wondered not, although I plainly saw / The one to be a stone, the other a shell; […]1799–1805 (date written), William Wordsworth, “Book V. Books.”, in The Prelude, or Growth of a Poet’s Mind; an Autobiographical Poem, London: Edward Moxon, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 111:
[Y]ᵉ same [the book] was well vtteryd by yᵉ printar, & well lyked of in yᵉ comon weale, […]a. 1606 (date written), John Stow, “Introduction [Appendix to Introduction: How Stow Began to Write History, and Quarrelled with Richard Grafton]”, in A Survey of London: Reprinted from the Text of 1603 […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, published 1908, →OCLC, section II (Documents Illustrating Stow’s Life), page li:
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Law To put (currency or other valuable items) into circulation; specifically, to pass off (counterfeit currency, etc.) as legal tender; to use (a forged cheque) as if genuine.
[…] Her Maiestie now vnderstandynge, that there are sithens that tyme certayne other forrayne peeces of golde, of the like quantitie and fashion (although of lesse value) lyke to an Englyshe Angell, brought hyther, and here vttered and payde for ten shyllynges of syluer, beyng for they lacke of wayght, and for the basenesse of the allay, not worth. vii. shillinges, to the great deceite and losse of the subiectes of this her Realme: […] her good subiects may eyther vtterly forbeare to receyue any such forrayne Angels, or els to take them accordyng to theyr waight as bullion, and to bryng them to her Maiesties Mynte, where they shall haue redy money in golde or syluer at theyr pleasure, accordyng to the iust value thereof.1564 June 17 (Gregorian calendar), By the Quene [Elizabeth I]. Where as the Quenes Maiestie, by Her Proclamation Published in Nouember, the Thirde Yere of Her Maiesties Raigne, Touching the Valuation of Forrayne Coynes of Golde […], London: […] Rycharde Iugge and Iohn Cawood, printers to the Quenes Maiestie, published [1565], →OCLC:
[…] Memory, which laying by, preſeruing and imprinting in it ſelfe al the Images and formes of viſible & intelligible things, could not vtter them in time conuenient and diſpoſe them to the tongue and penne, vnleſſe it had ſo ordered, and oftentimes recounted them, […]1588, Torquato Tasso, translated by T[homas] K[yd], The Housholders Philosophie. Wherein is Perfectly and Profitably Described, the True Oeconomia and Forme of Housekeeping. […], London: […] J[ohn] C[harlewood] for Thomas Hacket, […], →OCLC, folio 21, verso:
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[T]he variouſly denominated Attic Obolus, vvith the Head of Minerva and Noctua, of as vulgar Uſe as our Farthings, but hardly by half ſo large as the Tokens vvhich every Tavern and Tippling-Houſe (in the days of late Anarchy among us) preſum'd to ſtamp and utter for immediate Exchange, as they vvere paſſable through the Neighbourhood, […]1697, J[ohn] Evelyn, “Of the Use of Medals, whether for Money, or to Preserve the Memory of Worthy Actions; Their Antiquity, Materials, Size, Model, &c.”, in Numismata. A Discourse of Medals, Antient and Modern. […], London: […] Benj[amin] Tooke […], →OCLC, page 16:
[S]ince the Lavv does not oblige us to receive this Coyn, and conſequently the Patent leaves it to our Voluntary Choice, there is nothing remaining to preſerve us from Ruin but that the vvhole Kingdom ſhould continue in a firm determinate Reſolution never to Receive or Utter this FATAL Coyn: […]1724 September 5 (Gregorian calendar), M. B. [pseudonym; Jonathan Swift], Some Observations upon a Paper, Call’d The Report of the Committee of the Most Honourable the Privy-Council in England, Relating to Wood’s Half-pence. […], Dublin: […] John Harding […], →OCLC, page 28:
The Man vvho is vvantonly profuſe of his Promiſes ought to ſink his Credit as much as a Tradeſman vvould by uttering great Numbers of Promiſſory Notes, payable at a diſtant Day. The trueſt Concluſion in both Caſes is, that neither intend, or vvill be able to pay.1743, Henry Fielding, “An Essay on the Knowledge of the Characters of Men”, in Miscellanies, […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, page 204:
COINING (Joint uttering.) If two persons jointly prepare counterfeit coin, and then utter it in different shops, apart from each other, but in concert and intending to share the proceeds, the utterings of each are the joint utterings of both, and they may be convicted jointly.—Reg. v. Hurse, 2 M. & Rob. 360.1841 August–November, “Digest of Cases. Common Law.”, in The Law Magazine; or Quarterly Review of Jurisprudence, volume XXVII, number LV, London: Saunders and Benning, law booksellers, (successors to J[oseph] Butterworth and Son,) […], →OCLC, page 415:
› Senses relating to issuing something. › To put (currency or other valuable items)…
12
LawFiguratively To pass off (something fake) as a genuine item.
Centaure, hovv our iudgements vvere impos'd on by theſe adulterate knights! / Cen[taure]. Nay, madame, Mavis vvas more deceiu'd then vve, 'tvvas her commendation vtter'd 'hem in the colledge.1609 December (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act IIII, scene vi, page 583:
[T]he great bards / Of Greece, of Rome, and mine own master land, / […] / Men who have forged gods—uttered—made them pass: […]1839, [Philip James Bailey], “Scene—Another and a Better World”, in Festus: A Poem, London: William Pickering, →OCLC, page 145:
› Senses relating to issuing something.
13
Obsolete To supply (something); to furnish, to provide.
[T]he mixt earth, vvhich vtters VVhinns, Briars, and a vvorld of ſuch like vnnatural and baſtardly Iſſues.1625, Gervase Markham, “The Nature of Grounds in Generall: But Particularly of the Barren and Sterile Earth”, in Markhams Farwell to Husbandry or, The Inriching of All Sorts of Barren and Sterile Grounds in Our Kingdome, […], revised edition, London: […] M[iles] F[lesher] for Roger Iackson, […], →OCLC, page 3:
14
Obsolete To offer (something, such as goods) for barter or sale; also, to sell (something); to vend.
[…] certayne Merchants […] obteyned licence ſafely to arriue here in Ireland with their wares, and to vtter the ſame.1577, Raphaell Holinshed; Richarde Stanyhurst [i.e., Richard Stanihurst], “The Historie of Irelande […]”, in The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Hunne, →OCLC, page 19:
Such mortall drugs I haue, but Mantuas lavve / Is death to any he that vtters them.c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Iuliet. […] (Second Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, […], published 1599, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], signature L, recto:
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Beautie is bought by iudgement of the eye, / Not vttred by baſe ſale of chapmens tongues: […]c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], signature B4, recto:
[D]oe not al Trades liue by their vvare, and yet cald honeſt Liuers? doe they not thriue beſt, vvhen they vtter moſte, and make it avvay by the great?1604 (first performance), [Thomas Middleton], Michaelmas Terme. […], London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Edward Allde] for A[rthur] I[ohnson] […], published 1607, →OCLC, signature H, recto:
[A]t the Olimpian games […] ſome cam as Merchants to vtter their commodities, […]1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 71, recto:
VVhen theſe ſad tidings fill'd thoſe itching eares / Of Earths black babbling Daughter (ſhe that heares, / And vents alike, both Truth and Forgeries, / And vtters, often, cheaper then ſhe buyes) / She ſpred the pinnions of her nimble VVings, / Aduanc't her Trumpet, and avvay ſhe ſprings, […]1624, Francis Quarles, “Sect[ion] 5”, in Iob Militant: With Meditations Divine and Morall, London: […] Felix Kyngston for George Winder, […], →OCLC, signature E3, recto:
15
Obsolete, Rare To announce that (something) is available for sale; to cry.
[Y]ou are […] compelled, during the whole morning, to undergo that savage jargon of yells, brays, and screams, familiarly, but feebly, termed, "the Cries of London"— […] your utter incapability of ever arriving at the slightest smattering in any of the infernal dialects in which their goods are uttered, and which they have palpably invented for the sole purpose of guarding against the smallest risk of being, by any accident, understood;—and thus is a new Misery struck out for you, […]1806, [James Beresford], “Dialogue the Fourth. Miseries of London.”, in The Miseries of Human Life; or The Groans of Timothy Testy, and Samuel Sensitive. […], London: […] [F]or William Miller, […], by W[illiam] Bulmer and Co., […], →OCLC, pages 68–69:
16
Obsolete, Rare To distribute or issue (something) from, or as if from, a stock of items.
He had alſo ſet a prieſt of his and a ſeculer ſeruaunt of his beſyde to by [buy] many of the ſame ſuyte [of books], & double and treble of one ſorte, whiche were by thẽ [them] vttred to diuers yonge ſcholers ſuch as thei founde properly witted, feately lerned, and newfangly mynded.1528, Thomas More, “A Dialogue Concernynge Heresyes & Matters of Religion […]. Chapter IIII.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, book III, page 213, column 2:
17
Dialectal To discharge or send out (something); to eject, to emit.
Obsolete except UK
God proſper you, to the uttering all hollovv Harts of England.1536 December 22 (date written; Gregorian calendar), John Strype, quoting Hugh Latimer, “A Visitation of the Religious Houses. […]”, in Ecclesiastical Memorials; Relating Chiefly to Religion, and the Reformation of It: Shewing the Various Emergencies of the Church of England, under King Henry the Eighth. […], volume I, London: […] John Wyat, […], published 1721, →OCLC, page 260:
As fier being encloſed in a ſtraite place, wil by force vtter his flãme, […] ſo thys cãcard crocodrile, ⁊ ſubtile ſerpent, could not lõg lurke in malicious hartes, nor venemous ſtomackes, but in cõcluſion ſhe muſt (according to her nature) apere ⁊ ſhew her ſelf.a. 1548 (date written), Edward Hall, Richard Grafton, “[The Troubleous Season of Kyng Henry the Sixt.] The .XXXVII. Yere.”, in The Vnion of the Two Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre & Yorke, […], London: […] Rychard Grafton, […] [and Steven Mierdman], published 1550, →OCLC, folio xc, verso:
4 more examples
Seeſt not thilke ſame Hawthorne ſtudde, / How bragly it beginnes to budde, / And vtter his tender head?1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “March. Ægloga Tertia.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Hugh Singleton, […], →OCLC, folio 8, verso:
And moſt deare Actors, eate no Onions, nor garlicke: for vve are to vtter ſvveete breath: and I do not doubt but to hear them ſay, it is a ſvveete Comedy.c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, A Midsommer Nights Dreame. […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, […], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], signature G2, verso:
[Ô] vvoman, vvoman, vveepe novv or neuer, thou haſt made more ſorrovves then vve haue eyes to vtter.c. 1607–1611 (first performance), [Francis Beaumont], Iohn Fletcher, Cupids Revenge. […], London: […] Thomas Creede for Iosias Harison, […], published 1615, →OCLC, Act V, scene [iii], signature L3, recto:
[N]ovv the King forſakes / The Campe, he muſt maintaine luxurious mouthes, / Such as can vtter perfum'd breath, and theſe / Straite compoſe a faction, engroſſe his eares.c. 1626–1629 (date written), Wm. D’avenant [i.e., William Davenant], The Tragedy of Albovine, King of the Lombards, London: […] [Felix Kyngston] for R. M[oore], […], published 1629, →OCLC, Act I, signature C2, recto:
Etymology PIE word *úd From Middle English outre, utter (“away, out; further away or out; out in the open; outside, without; to a greater extent”), partly: * from outre, utter (adjective) (see etymology 1); and * from Old English ūtor, the comparative form of ūt (“out; outdoors, outside”, adverb).
1
Obsolete Further apart, away, or out; outside, without.
A strawe, sayde Bele, stande vtter, / For we haue egges and butter, / And of pygeons a payre.c. 1517 (date written; published c. 1545), John Skelton, “Here after Foloweth the Booke Called Elynour Rummynge. The Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng per Skelton Laureat.”, in Alexander Dyce, editor, The Poetical Works of John Skelton: […], volume I, London: Thomas Rodd, […], published 1843, →OCLC, page 112, lines 535–537:
Gyue this gentylman rome, syrs, stonde vtter!a. 1530 (date written), John Skelton, “Magnyfycence, a Goodly Interlude and a Mery, […]”, in Alexander Dyce, editor, The Poetical Works of John Skelton: […], volume I, London: Thomas Rodd, […], published 1843, →OCLC, page 249, line 763:
I knovv they vvill deny me gracious Madame, / Being a ſtranger, and ſo little fam'd / So vtter emptie of theſe excellencies / That tame authority; […]1612 January 5 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Francis Beaumont, Iohn Fletcher, A King and No King. […], London: […] [John Beale] for Thomas Walkley, […], published 1619, →OCLC, Act IV, page [53]: