Be·rate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Berated; p. pr. & vb. n. Berating.]  To rate or chide vehemently; to scold.  --Holland.  --Motley.
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  berate
       v : censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child
           for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the
           Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter
           for bringing cold soup" [syn: call on the carpet, rebuke,
            rag, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw,
            dress down, call down, scold, chide, bawl out,
            remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste,
            lambast]