declaim

verb (used without object)

to speak aloud in an oratorical manner; make a formal speech: Brutus declaimed from the steps of the Roman senate building.

to inveigh (usually followed by against ): He declaimed against the high rents in slums.

to speak or write for oratorical effect, as without sincerity or sound argument.

verb (used with object)

to utter aloud in an oratorical manner: to declaim a speech.

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English declamen < Latin dēclāmāre, equivalent to dē- de- + clāmāre to cry, shout; see claim

Related forms

de·claim·er, noun

un·de·claimed, adjective

un·de·claim·ing, adjective

Can be confused: declaim, disclaim.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To declaim

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Declaim is one of our favorite verbs.

So is kibitz. Does it mean:

chat, to converse

to spend time idly; loaf.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

declaim (dɪˈkleɪm)

—vb (foll by against)
1.	to make (a speech, statement, etc) loudly and in a rhetorical manner
2.	to speak lines from (a play, poem, etc) with studied eloquence; recite
3.	to protest (against) loudly and publicly

[C14: from Latin dēclāmāre, from clāmāre to call out]

de'claimer

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

declaim

late 14c., from L. declamare, from de- intens. prefix + clamare "to cry, shout" (see claim). At first in Eng. spelled declame, but altered under influence of claim.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences

Instead of conversing, some declaim, issuing speeches prepared long in advance

or used successfully on other occasions.

My friends declaim my ability and attribute my skill to other causes.

There are well-meaning philosophers who declaim against the unrighteousness of

war.

While voters often declaim in colorful, castigatory ways, politicians are more

encouraging but also more precise.

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Related Words

rant spout declamation

declamatory disclaim orate

Matching Quote

"As debate is rare in the House of Representatives, since nearly all real business is done in the committees, it is very natural that such debate as there is should be very oratorical, should be "sounding off," not discussion. And this is one of the reasons why public speaking in America is still so rhetorical, why audiences for example do not often "heckle" a speaker, bombard him with questions, or embarrass him with ironical applause or laughter. It is almost as rare to interrupt a political speech as it is to interrupt a sermon. In the Senate, things are different. Any senator who can get the floor can talk as long as his wind lasts. He cannot be out of order unless he takes the most extravagant liberties. So Senate debates are often lively, often educational. They are very different from the formal pieces declaimed in the other house, or even printed and sent to the voters without being spoken at all. A senator has to persuade his colleagues, even those of his own party, or he has to intimidate them, and so the Senate has a high representation of public speakers who can discuss as well as declaim."

-D.W. Brogan