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berate

 - 3 dictionary results

be⋅rate

  [bi-reyt]
–verb (used with object), -rat⋅ed, -rat⋅ing.
to scold; rebuke: He berated them in public.
Use berate in a Sentence
Origin:
1540–50; be- + rate 2

Synonyms:
abuse, vilify, vituperate, objurgate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To berate
be·rate   (bĭ-rāt')   
tr.v.   be·rat·ed, be·rat·ing, be·rates
To rebuke or scold angrily and at length. See Synonyms at scold.

[be- + rate2.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

berate 
1548, from be- "thoroughly" + M.E. rate "to scold," from O.Fr. reter "accuse, blame," from L. reputare (see reputation). "Obsolete except in U.S." [OED 1st ed.], but it seems to have revived in Britain 20c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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