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Webster 1913 Edition

Diatribe

Di′a-tribe

(?; 277)
,
Noun.
[L.
diatriba
a learned discussion, Gr. [GREEK], prop., a wearing away of time, fr. [GREEK] to rub away, spend time;
διά
through + [GREEK] to rub: cf. L.
terere
, F.
trite
: cf. F.
diatribe
.]
A prolonged or exhaustive discussion; especially, an acrimonious or invective harangue; a strain of abusive or railing language; a philippic.
The ephemeral
diatribe
of a faction.
John Morley.

Webster 1828 Edition

Diatribe

DIATRIBE

,
Noun.
[Gr.] A continued discourse or disputation.

Definition 2024

diatribe

diatribe

English

Noun

diatribe ‎(plural diatribes)

  1. An abusive, bitter, attack, or criticism: denunciation.
    • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 4, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad:
      “… No rogue e’er felt the halter draw, with a good opinion of the law, and perhaps my own detestation of the law arises from my having frequently broken it. If this long diatribe bores you, just say so, and I’ll cut it short.”
  2. A prolonged discourse.
  3. A speech or writing which bitterly denounces something.
    The senator was prone to diatribes which could go on for more than an hour.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:diatribe

Derived terms

  • diatribal

Translations

Quotations

1991, Bill Crow, Jazz Anecdotes, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780195071337, page 316:
You know, it’s all this racial diatribe, and very strong language, screaming at the top of his lungs into the telephone.
2000, J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Scholastic Press, ISBN 9780439139595, page 41:
Aunt Petunia wasn’t eating anything at all. Her arms were folded, her lips were pursed, and she seemed to be chewing her tongue, as though biting back the furious diatribe she longed to throw at Harry.

French

Etymology

Latin diatriba ‎(“learned discussion or discourse”), from Ancient Greek διατριβή ‎(diatribḗ, “way of spending time, lecture”), from διά ‎(diá, “through”) + τρίβω ‎(tríbō, “I waste, wear out”)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dja.tʁib/

Noun

diatribe f ‎(plural diatribes)

  1. diatribe (abusive, bitter discourse)

Italian

Noun

diatribe f

  1. plural of diatriba

Anagrams

Portuguese

Noun

diatribe f (plural diatribes)

  1. diatribe (bitter denunciation)
  2. diatribe (prolongued discourse)

Etymology

First attested 1581, from French diatribe, from Latin diatriba ‎(“learned discussion or discourse”), from Ancient Greek διατριβή ‎(diatribḗ, “way of spending time, lecture”), from διά ‎(diá, “through”) + τρίβω ‎(tríbō, “I waste, wear out”)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdaɪ.əˌtɹaɪb/

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