perorate

American  

[per-uh-reyt] / ˈpɛr əˌreɪt /

verb (used without object)

perorated, perorating

1. to speak at length; make a long, usually grandiloquent speech.

2. to bring a speech to a close with a formal conclusion.

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perorate British  

/ ˈpɛrəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to speak at length, esp in a formal manner

2. to conclude a speech or sum up, esp with a formal recapitulation

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Other Word Forms

• perorator
  noun

Etymology

Origin of perorate

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin perōrātus, past participle of perōrāre; see origin at per-, orate

Explanation

To perorate is to give a long, pompous speech. If you were expecting your teacher's remarks at the beginning of class to be a quick announcement, your heart will sink when he begins to perorate. There are two ways to use this somewhat old-fashioned word. The first is as a near-synonym of "orate," although to perorate is to give an even more flowery, pretentious speech than a mere oration. If you perorate when it's your turn to comment at a town meeting, it's unlikely you'll be taken seriously. An older meaning of perorate is to end a long speech with a summary of your main points.

Example Sentences

“I’ll just look into my soft drink and listen to someone else perorate about me,” Sting said.

From Washington Post

In vain does Lafayette fret, indignant; and perorate and strive: Patriots in the passion of terror, bellow round the Royal Carriage; it is one bellowing sea of Patriot terror run frantic.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

So little was he supposed to have spoken seriously that another, of whose ceasing to perorate there is no prospect, characterized his criticism in language so strong that it cannot well be repeated. 

From Lost Leaders by Ridge, W. Pett (William Pett)

Rapture proclaim to the grove, to the echoing cliffs perorate it?

From Erotica Romana by Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von

And church and state pause in this made vortex of chaos to prate of the ills of pugilism; to legislate and perorate anent bloodless boxing bouts; to prosecute a brace of harmless pugs.

From Brann the Iconoclast — Volume 12 by Brann, William Cowper