Where does “prate” come from?

Prate comes from Middle English praten, of uncertain origin and meaning.

prate (English): Talk to little purpose; trifling talk;...

Definitions

  1. Talk to little purpose; trifling talk;...

Ancestry of “prate”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishpratento chatter inconsequentially
2Old Englishprætttrick, prank, practical joke
3Proto-Germanicprattuzboastful talk; deceit, trickery, stratagem, list,...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbrodnó-to wander about

Words derived from “prate

Every word from Proto-Indo-European brodnó-Every word from Proto-Germanic prattuzEvery word from Old English prætt
prate — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer