v. [f. BE- 2 + RATE v. This word appears to have become obs. in England, and to have been preserved in U.S., whence we have many 19th c. instances.]
trans. To rate or chide vehemently; to scold.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Mark xv. (R.). So is the veritie of the gospell berated and laughed to skorne of the miscreantes.
1572. trans. Lavaterus’ Ghostes (1596), 158. They all berated him for occupying his head about questions nothing appertaining unto him.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 162. Antony … fell into a furious fit of choler, and all to berated … Toranius.
1855. Motley, Dutch Rep., VI. i. (1866), 779. Never was unlucky prince more soundly berated by his superiors.
1864. E. Sargent, Peculiar, III. 290. An ancient virago … was berating a butcher.
1881. Boston Lit. World, 22 Oct., 365/2. Berating Puritanism in his diary.
