I. ˈpra-t ə l verb
( prat·tled ; prat·tling ˈprat-liŋ, ˈpra-t ə l-iŋ)
Etymology: Low German pratelen; akin to Middle Dutch praten to prate
Date: 1532
intransitive verb
1. : prate
2. : to utter or make meaningless sounds suggestive of the chatter of children : babble
transitive verb
: to say in an unaffected or childish manner
• prat·tler ˈprat-lər, ˈpra-t ə l-ər noun
• prat·tling·ly -liŋ-lē, -t ə l-iŋ- adverb
II. noun
Date: 1555
1. : trifling or empty talk
2. : a sound that is meaningless, repetitive, and suggestive of the chatter of children