transitive. To address (a person) in terms of reproof or blame: in earlier use implying loud vehemence, to ‘scold’; in later use often little more…

transitive. To subject to insult or abuse; to talk to or criticize in an abusive, angry, or insulting manner; to rail at. Also figurative.

to call (rarely to speak) (all) to naught: to attack verbally; to denounce with passion. Cf. nought, pron. 2d. Now rare.

transitive. To blame, speak ill of, find fault with, in strong or violent language; to assail with abuse; to rate or revile.

transitive. To speak insultingly or unkindly of or to (a person); to malign, revile, vilify (a person or thing).

figurative. to speakor look daggers: to speak so as to wound, to speak or look fiercely, savagely, or angrily.

transitive. To rage against. Obsolete.

transitive. To curse or swear at; to attack verbally or rebuke, esp. with obscene or profane language. Cf. curse, v. 2a.

transitive and intransitive. To assail with, to make use of, violent language, abuse, or vituperation.

transitive. To punish, damage, injure; to attack physically or verbally; (also) to reprimand severely. Also intransitive.

transitive. colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). To abuse or denigrate (a person or thing); to criticize or gossip maliciously about (a…

transitive. To call (someone) names; to abuse verbally.