perorate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to speak at length; make a long, usually grandiloquent speech.
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to bring a speech to a close with a formal conclusion.
verb
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to speak at length, esp in a formal manner
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to conclude a speech or sum up, esp with a formal recapitulation
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“I’ll just look into my soft drink and listen to someone else perorate about me,” Sting said.
From Washington Post
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 William Cowper Brann
But here he'll pose and perorate, A Brutus vain and voluble.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 98, February 8, 1890 by Various
Feuillans, including almost the whole Constitutional Respectability of France, perorate nightly from their tribune; correspond through all Post-offices; denouncing unquiet Jacobinism; trusting well that its time is nigh done.
From The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle
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 Thomas Carlyle
He perorated: Recent events in Spanish Morocco were far from reassuring for the Spaniards.
From Time Magazine Archive
Such animosity as was shown against the priesthood emanated from some of the public clubs where the future Communards perorated.
From My Days of Adventure The Fall of France, 1870-71 by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly
Aggressions were made and repelled, patriots perorated and fought, diplomatists finessed with a zeal worthy of the world's most restless, if not its wisest, age.
From Thomas Carlyle by John Nichol
A third, perorated a long and beautifully written review, by the bold and startling announcement—"This writer is unquestionably a highly respectable youth."
From Pierre; or The Ambiguities by Herman Melville
"That's the man for my money," he perorated.
From Stingaree by E. W. (Ernest William) Hornung
Whilst other people were promenading or perorating, Trochu, in his room at the Louvre, was receiving telegram after telegram informing him that the Germans were now fast closing round the city.
From My Days of Adventure The Fall of France, 1870-71 by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly
"And what, I ask you," I said perorating, "what on the face of the earth are we to do now?"
From All on the Irish Shore Irish Sketches by E. Oe. (Edith Oenone) Somerville
No high-perched, privileged and proud possessor Of lineal vantage he; Of perorating witchery no professor, Or casuist subtlety.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, October 17, 1891 by Various
I had a vague impression of listening to gigantic marionettes, perorating through a trumpet, with the emphasis of Spaniards.
From Amiel's Journal by Mrs. Humphry Ward
Not ten days hence Patriot Brissot, beshouted this day by the Patriot Galleries, shall find himself begroaned by them, on account of his limited Patriotism; nay pelted at while perorating, and 'hit with two prunes.'
From The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle
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