释义 |
prate I. \ˈprāt, usu -ād.+V\ verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English praten, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German pratten to pout, and perhaps to Russian bredit' to talk nonsense, obsolete Polish brzedzić to gossip intransitive verb 1. a. : to talk at length and to little purpose : be loquacious : chatter foolishly and without real understanding < prating of responsibility > < prated on about his wealth > b. : to speak boastingly or maliciously 2. of an animal : to make a characteristic repetitive sound < the prating of passenger pigeons > transitive verb : to utter foolishly : babble < what nonsense would the fool, thy master, prate — John Dryden > II. noun (-s) : an act of prating : trifling talk : unmeaning or idle loquacity : chatter |