Allatrate

/ˈæləˌtreɪt/ verb

Definition

To bark or growl, or to make loud harsh sounds like a dog barking (rare and archaic usage).

Etymology

From Latin 'allatrare,' combining 'ad-' (toward) and 'latrare' (to bark). Rarely used after the 1600s, but appears in old English dictionaries as a colorful verb.

Kelly Says

This delightful old word meant to bark at someone—imagine if we still used it! 'The dog allatrates at strangers' sounds so much fancier than 'barks.'

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