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rabble1 definition

rab·ble (rab′əl)

noun

a noisy, disorderly crowd; mob

Etymology: ME rabel < ? or akin to ML rabulus, brawling, noisy < L rabula, a brawling advocate < rabere: see rabid

transitive verb rabbled -·bled, rabbling -·bling

to attack as or by a rabble; mob
rabble Idioms

the rabble

the common people; the masses: a term of contempt
rabble2 definition

rab·ble (rab′əl)

noun

an iron bar used to stir and skim molten iron in puddling

Etymology: Fr râble < OFr roable < ML rotabulum, poker < L rutabulum, stirrer < ruere, to rake up < IE base *reu-, to dig up > rid, rubble

transitive verb rabbled -·bled, rabbling -·bling

to stir or skim with such a bar

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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