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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.