The word "harangue" is a commonly misspelled word. It is pronounced /həˈræŋ/ and is derived from the French word "haranguer". The pronunciation can be broken down into three parts: "huh-rah-ng". The silent "ue" at the end of the French word is not pronounced in English. The "a" in the first syllable is long and the final "ue" is pronounced as a "ng" sound. Remembering the spelling and pronunciation of "harangue" can help prevent common errors in written and spoken communication.
Harangue (noun) refers to a forceful and lengthy speech that aims to convey strong emotions, persuade or criticize a large audience. It typically involves a passionate delivery with an intention to captivate, convince, or incite action. Harangues are often delivered by politicians, activists, or leaders who seek to influence and mobilize the masses. These speeches are characterized by their intensity, fervor, and often a repetition of key points or phrases to emphasize their message. A harangue may adopt an aggressive or confrontational tone, seeking to rally support or provoke a response from the audience.
As a verb, "harangue" describes the act of delivering such a speech. It implies a forceful, impassioned, oration, often delivered in a public setting. Individuals who harangue aim to persuade or influence through powerful rhetoric and charisma. This verb can also signify the act of relentlessly criticizing or berating someone, usually in a public manner. It suggests a long and intense verbal assault or rebuke directed at a specific target, often with an intent to belittle, shame, or provoke a reaction.
Overall, "harangue" refers to a powerful speech filled with strong emotions, delivered to a large audience, with the intention of motivating, influencing, or criticizing.
• A popular oration; a public address.
• To make a speech or to give an address to a large assembly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "harangue" originated from the Old French term "harangue", which referred to a public speech or an address. This Old French word was derived from the Old High German word "harang" which meant a poetically composed song. Ultimately, the Old High German term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "haringaz", which meant "a crowd or an army". Over time, the word "harangue" developed its modern meaning of a lengthy, forceful public speech, often delivered in a critical or aggressive manner.