harangue · noun — an impassioned, disputatious public speech. It carries an Arena rating of 1818, earned across 10 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, harangue ranks #574 of 17,188 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #1,371 of 17,187 for Most Malleable Words, #2,143 of 17,167 for Most Vivid Words, #2,678 of 17,197 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words.
harangue is pronounced /həˈɹæŋ/.
Why “harangue” is a great word
A forceful and lengthy speech, typically critical, aggressive, or intended to persuade. From Middle English *arang* and French *harangue*, from Old Italian *aringa* (public speech), from *aringare* (to speak in public), from *aringo* (public assembly), from Gothic *𐍃𐌺𐌹𐌲𐌲𐍃* (*hriggs*) or a compound of it, akin to Old High German *hring* (ring, circle). Unlike an oration, which is formal and seeks to elevate, or a tirade, which is a purely emotional venting, a harangue is criticism weaponized into a structured, relentless address. It is the drill sergeant’s calculated barrage on the first day of boot camp, the shareholder’s incensed litany at an annual meeting, the late-night political rant that leaves the room airless and charged—the ancient, circular violence of one voice demanding many ears, and getting them.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From Middle English arang and French harangue, from Old Italian aringa (modern Italian arringa) from aringare (“speak in public”) (modern Italian arringare), from aringo (“public assembly”), from Gothic *𐌷𐍂𐌹𐌲𐌲𐍃 (*hriggs) or a compound containing it, akin to Old High German hring (“ring”) (whence German Ring). Doublet of range, rank, ring, and rink.
noun
- An impassioned, disputatious public speech.
- A tirade, harsh scolding or rant, whether spoken or written.e.g.“She gave her son a harangue about the dangers of playing in the street.”
verb
- To give a forceful and lengthy lecture or criticism to someone.e.g.“The angry motorist leapt from his car to harangue the other driver.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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