Driveling: meaning, definitions and examples
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driveling
[ ˈdrɪv.əl.ɪŋ ]
speaking foolishly
To driveling means to talk in a silly or childish way, often incoherently. It can also refer to speaking without making sense, typically in a manner that is meaningless or irrelevant.
Synonyms
babbling, blabbering, muttering, rambling
Examples of usage
- He was driveling away about his childhood memories.
- Stop driveling and get to the point of your argument.
- During the meeting, she started driveling about her vacation plans.
- The toddler was driveling while playing with his toys.
Etymology
The term 'driveling' has its roots in Middle English, originating from the word 'drivel', which means to drool or let saliva flow from the mouth, especially when one is sleeping or in a state of unconsciousness. The word 'drivel' itself comes from the Old English 'drīfian', meaning to drive or to drift, particularly used in the context of letting something flow away. Over time, the meaning of 'driveling' evolved to encompass not just the physical act of drooling but also to describe the act of speaking in a nonsensical or foolish manner, particularly when the speaker appears to be overly emotional or irrational. This semantic shift reflects a growing association between the loss of control implied in drooling and the irrationality of certain types of speech.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,367, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.