Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRATE, v.i. [D. praaten, to prate; Sw. prata, to tattle; Gr. φραδαω. Qu. allied perhaps to Sax. ræd, speech.]

To talk much and without weight, or to little purpose; to be loquacious; as the vulgar express it, to run on. To prate and talk for life and honor. – Shak. And make a fool presume to prate of love. – Dryden.