berate English · revision 1616

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɪˈɹeɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It was formed in English from [[be-|t=thoroughly]] and [[rate]] “to scold”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) a verb recorded from about 1390.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To scold vehemently (1548).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The meaning has not changed.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) The first edition of the OED marked it obsolete except in the United States, but it seems to have revived in Britain in the 20th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 1390 – ''rate'', to scold.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1548 – ''berate''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[scold]] or [[rebuke]] angrily and at length.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House gives ''abuse'', ''vilify'', ''vituperate'' and ''objurgate'' as synonyms.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}