Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- To cry down; abuse; run down.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb obsolete To make rattle; to scold vociferously; to cry down.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb transitive To
rattle ; rattle vigorously. - verb transitive, rare To cry down;
abuse ;run down .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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We are further told that these little eyases cry out on the top of the question and so berattle the common stages (so they call them), that many, wearing rapiers, are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither. '
Shakspere and Montaigne Jacob Feis
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Innocent children, moreover, were made to act such satires: 'little eyases, that cry out on the top of the question, and are most tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages.'
Shakspere and Montaigne Jacob Feis
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These are now the fashion, and so berattle the "common stages" -- so they call them -- that many wearing rapiers [i.e., gallants] are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither.
Shakespearean Playhouses A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the Restoration Joseph Quincy Adams 1913
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These are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages22so they call themthat many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills23 and dare scarce come thither.
Act II. Scene II 1909
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Rosencrantz declared that the children 'so berattle [_i. e._ assail] the common stages -- so they call them -- that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither [_i. e._ to the public theatres].'
A Life of William Shakespeare with portraits and facsimiles Sidney Lee 1892
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Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question, and are most tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the fashion, and so berattle the common stages -- so they call them -- that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.
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Nay, their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace: but there is, sir, an aery of children, little eyases, that cry out on the top of question, and are most tyrannically clapped for't: these are now the fashion; and so berattle the common stages, -- so they call them, -- that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills and dare scarce come thither.
Hamlet William Shakespeare 1590
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(acting the plays of Jonson) did "so berattle the common stages ... that many, wearing rapiers, are afraid of goose-quills, and dare scarce come thither."
Every Man in His Humor Ben Jonson 1605
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