Middle English Dictionary Entry
prāten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | prāten v. Also prate, prete(n. |
| Etymology | MDu. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To chatter inconsequentially, talk foolishly; also used of a cock; (b) to utter (words) foolishly.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.620 : For a cok beth hennys fiue ynowe..And first in feueryeer of loue he preteth [vr. prateth].
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Cock (Hrl 2255)151 : Off poore men doolys is no sekir date..He may weel grucche and with his tounge prate.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)327/1626 : We wyll not prate no lengere now; now we haue golde, no talys xul be tolde.
- a1500 Sum be mery (BodPoet e.1)p.91 : Some [women] can prate without hyere.
- 1591(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hnt HM 2)236/151 : This knave can nought but prate and lye.
b
- a1475 *Sidrak & B.(Lnsd 793)4802 : Hise wordes he wole not lete But multiplie hem and hem prete, And so engendriþ he greet folie.