/ reɪv; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
rave (about sb/sth) to talk or write about sth in a very enthusiastic way :
[ v ]
The critics raved about his performance in 'Hamlet'.
[also v speech ]
2.
rave (at sb) to shout in a loud and emotional way at sb because you are angry with them :
[ v ]
She was shouting and raving at them.
[also v speech ]
3.
rave (at sb) to talk or shout in a way that is not logical or sensible :
[ v ]
He wandered the streets raving at passers-by.
[also v speech ]
•
IDIOMS
see rant
■ noun ( BrE )
1.
(in Britain) a large party, held outside or in an empty building, at which people dance to fast electronic music and often take illegal drugs :
an all-night rave
2.
( NAmE ) = rave review
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense show signs of madness : probably from Old Northern French raver ; related obscurely to (Middle) Low German reven be senseless, rave.