spokesman
part of speech
noun (a spokesman, spokesmen); also spokeswoman, spokesperson
meaning for a pupil
A spokesman is a person chosen to speak officially for a group, company, team or government, especially to newspapers and TV. tree →
sense in the lessons
In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: Here it is a person who speaks for another. Aaron is to speak to the people for Moses, acting as "a mouth" for him. Interpretation: Commentators say Moses was slow of speech, so Aaron spoke for him. The verse's picture of Moses being "in God's stead" shows the pattern of prophet as God's messenger and Aaron as the prophet's voice. In the primary lessons: In news, «a spokesman for the police said…» tells you the information is official. In school, a class may choose a spokesperson to speak to the head. Phrases: a spokesman for, police spokesman, government spokesman.
examples
- And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him in God's stead. (Torah EXO.4.16, JPS 1917) tree →
- A spokesman for the zoo said the panda was healthy. tree →
- The police spokesman asked people to stay away. tree →
- Our class chose Amy as spokesperson for the school council. tree →
- A spokesman for the team said the captain was injured. tree →
- The company spokeswoman answered the reporters' questions. tree →
- The government spokesman gave a short statement. tree →
- "Sir," replied their spokesman, "we cannot find jewels enough." tree →
note
Plural «spokesmen». «Spokesperson» can be used for anyone; «spokeswoman» for a woman. It comes from «spoke», past of «speak», not from a bicycle spoke.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «spokesman» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.