Definition: rant

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

rant
     n 1: a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
          [syn: harangue, ranting]
     2: pompous or pretentious talk or writing [syn: bombast, fustian,
         claptrap, blah]
     v : talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner [syn: mouth
         off, jabber, spout, rabbit on, rave]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Runt \Runt\, n. [Written also rant.] [Scot. runt an old cow,
   an old, withered woman, a hardened stem or stalk, the trunk
   of a tree; cf. D. rund a bullock, an ox or cow, G. rind. Cf.
   Rother, a.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) Any animal which is unusually small, as
      compared with others of its kind; -- applied particularly
      to domestic animals.

   2. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of domestic pigeon, related to the
      barb and carrier.

   3. A dwarf; also, a mean, despicable, boorish person; -- used
      opprobriously.

            Before I buy a bargain of such runts, I'll buy a
            college for bears, and live among 'em. --Beau. & Fl.

   4. The dead stump of a tree; also, the stem of a plant. [Obs.
      or Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

            Neither young poles nor old runts are durable.
                                                  --Holland.
Rant \Rant\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ranted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Ranting.] [OD. ranten, randen, to dote, to be enraged.]
   To rave in violent, high-sounding, or extravagant language,
   without dignity of thought; to be noisy, boisterous, and
   bombastic in talk or declamation; as, a ranting preacher.

         Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes! --Shak.
Rant \Rant\, n.
   High-sounding language, without importance or dignity of
   thought; boisterous, empty declamation; bombast; as, the rant
   of fanatics.

         This is a stoical rant, without any foundation in the
         nature of man or reason of things.       --Atterbury.