harangue

American  

[huh-rang] / həˈræŋ /

noun

1. a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe.

2. a long, passionate, and vehement speech, especially one delivered before a public gathering.

3. any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse.

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verb (used with object)

harangued, haranguing

1. to address in a harangue.

verb (used without object)

harangued, haranguing

1. to deliver a harangue.

harangue British  

/ həˈræŋ /

verb

1. to address (a person or crowd) in an angry, vehement, or forcefully persuasive way

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noun

1. a loud, forceful, or angry speech

Synonym Usage

See speech

Other Word Forms

• haranguer
  noun
• unharangued
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of harangue

First recorded in 1530–40; (noun) from Middle French harangue. from Italian ar(r)inga “speech, oration,” noun derivative of ar(r)ingare “to speak in public,” verbal derivative of aringo “public square,” from unattested Gothic hriggs “ring” (verb) from Middle French haranguer, from Italian ar(r)ingare; see ring ¹

Explanation

A harangue is more than a speech, louder than a discussion, and nastier than a lecture. It is a verbal attack that doesn't let up, delivered as a verb or received as a noun. Either way, it's pretty unpleasant. The word harangue developed its modern spelling around 1530, when the word was recorded as harangue in French. The word, meaning a strong, nasty rant, appears to have evolved from the Old Italian word aringa, probably from the word for a public square or place for public speaking. This in turn appears to have evolved from a Germanic word related to ring, as in "circular gathering," which is clearly similar to the Italian meaning.

Example Sentences

For freshness of style, lucidity, ingenuity, largeness of view, that opening Harangue of his was unsurpassable:—had not the subject-matter been so appalling.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

Harangue de la pucelle Jeanne au roy pour l'induire à aller à Rheims.'

From Joan of Arc by Gower, Ronald Sutherland

Harangue, formerly harengue, is Old High Ger. hring, Eng. ring, the allusion being to the circle formed by the audience.

From The Romance of Words (4th ed.) by Weekley, Ernest

Harangue of Bishop Spifame to the emperor, Le Laboureur, Add. aux M�m. de Castelnau, ii. 28-38.

From History of the Rise of the Huguenots Volume 2 by Baird, Henry Martyn

But, in a public Harangue, the style of his successors the Gracchi was far more easy and lively: and yet, even in their time, the Roman Eloquence had not reached its perfection.

From Cicero's Brutus or History of Famous Orators; also His Orator, or Accomplished Speaker. by Jones, E.

Related Words

• diatribe
• discourse
• jeremiad
• oration
• screed
• spiel
• tirade