Prate (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Prated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Prating.] [Akin to LG. & D. praten, Dan. prate,
Sw. & Icel. prata.] To talk much and to little purpose; to
be loquacious; to speak foolishly; to babble.
To prate and talk for life and
honor.
Shak.
And make a fool presume to prate of
love.
Dryden.Prate, v. t. To utter foolishly; to
speak without reason or purpose; to chatter, or babble.
What nonsense would the fool, thy master,
prate,
When thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate !
Dryden.Prate, n. [Akin to LG. & D.
praat, Sw. prat.] Talk to little purpose; trifling
talk; unmeaning loquacity.
Sick of tops, and poetry, and
prate.
Pope.