n.
Pronunciation: ' d ī - ə - ˌ tr ī b
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin diatriba, from Greek diatrib ē pastime, discourse, from diatribein to spend (time), wear away, from dia- + tribein to rub ― more at THROW
Date: 1581
1 archaic : a prolonged discourse
2 : a bitter and abusive speech or writing
3 : ironic or satirical criticism