prate

American  

[preyt] / preɪt /

verb (used without object)

prated, prating

1. to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble.

   They prated on until I was ready to scream.

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verb (used with object)

prated, prating

1. to utter in empty or foolish talk.

   to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.

noun

1. act of prating.

2. empty or foolish talk.

prate British  

/ preɪt /

verb

1. (intr) to talk idly and at length; chatter

2. (tr) to utter in an idle or empty way

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noun

1. idle or trivial talk; prattle; chatter

Other Word Forms

• prater noun
• pratingly adverb
• unprating adjective

Etymology

Origin of prate

1375–1425; late Middle English praten (v.) < Middle Dutch praeten. See prattle

Example Sentences

Claims of widespread electoral fraud would be spurious even if they weren’t made by a prating fool in front of a Philadelphia landscaping firm.

From Washington Post

“We have had women enough sacrificed to this sentimental, hypocritical prating about purity,” she wrote to her friend Lucretia Mott.

From Literature

Trump is not only a preening, prating fool; he has set his own interests above the interests of the nation.

From Washington Post

"A panoply of profs line up to explain that the science on climate change is now unequivocal, never mind the brief clip of Donald Trump prating: 'It's a hoax, it's a hoax, OK'."

From BBC

As thou thou prating Raven white by nature being bred,

From Washington Post