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prate

[preyt]
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verb (used without object), prat·ed, prat·ing.
  1. to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble: They prated on until I was ready to scream.
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verb (used with object), prat·ed, prat·ing.
  1. to utter in empty or foolish talk: to prate absurdities with the greatest seriousness.
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noun
  1. act of prating.
  2. empty or foolish talk.
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Origin of prate

1375–1425; late Middle English praten (v.) < Middle Dutch praeten. See prattle
Related formsprat·er, nounprat·ing·ly, adverbun·prat·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for prate

Historical Examples

  • Is it not late in the day, Hogan, for you and me to prate of honour?

    The Tavern Knight

    Rafael Sabatini

  • Will you hold your prate, or do you want me to kick you downstairs?

    One Of Them

    Charles James Lever

  • It would be better to prate of Eric's love when he had told it thee, Swanhild.

    Eric Brighteyes

    H. Rider Haggard

  • Prate not of these follies to me—do you take me for one of your priests?

  • Tis but conceit, and nothing more, to prate of satisfaction!

British Dictionary definitions for prate

prate

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
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Derived Formsprater, nounpratingly, adverb

Word Origin

C15: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch prāten, Icelandic and Norwegian prata, Danish prate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for prate

v.

early 15c., from or related to Middle Dutch praten "to chatter" (c.1400), from a West Germanic imitative root (cf. East Frisian proten, Middle Low German praten, Middle High German braten, Swedish prata "to talk, chatter"). Related: Prated; prating. As a noun from 1570s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper