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rattle

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Rattle is a sound made by a series of sharp sounds such as chains clanging on metal or a musical instrument or baby's toy that makes noise when it is shaken.

(noun)

An example of a rattle is the sound made as dishes are unloaded from a dishwasher.
An example of a rattle is a child's toy that is filled with beads that clatter when the toy is shaken.

To rattle is to make a series of sharp sounds, such as metal clacking on a chain.

(verb)

An example of rattle is when dishes clatter on a tray and make sharp sounds.
An example of rattle is when you jingle the change in your pocket and cause sharp sounds to be made.

See rattle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb rattled, rattling

to make a series of sharp, short sounds in quick succession
to go or move with such sounds: a wagon rattling over the stones
to talk rapidly and incessantly; chatter: often with on

Origin: ME ratelen, prob. of WGmc echoic orig., akin to Ger rasseln

transitive verb

to cause to rattle: to rattle the handle of a door
to utter or perform rapidly
☆ to confuse or upset; disconcert: to rattle a speaker with catcalls

noun

a quick succession of sharp, short sounds
a rattling noise made by air passing through the mucus of a partly closed throat
a noisy uproar; loud chatter
☆
1. a series of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, used to produce a rattling sound
2. any of these
a device, as a baby's toy or a percussion instrument, made to rattle when shaken

transitive verb rattled, rattling

to provide with ratlines: usually with down

Origin: back-form. < ratling (taken as prp.), var. of ratline

See rattle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb rat·tled, rat·tling, rat·tles

verb, intransitive

a. To make or emit a quick succession of short percussive sounds.
b. To move with such sounds: A train rattled along the track.
To talk rapidly and at length, usually without much thought: rattled on about this and that.

verb, transitive

To cause to make a quick succession of short percussive sounds: rattled the dishes in the kitchen.
To utter or perform rapidly or effortlessly: rattled off a list of complaints.
Informal To fluster; unnerve: The accident rattled me. See Synonyms at embarrass.

noun

A rapid succession of short percussive sounds.
A device, such as a baby's toy, that produces short percussive sounds.
A rattling sound in the throat caused by obstructed breathing, especially near the time of death.
The series of horny structures at the end of a rattlesnake's tail.
Loud or rapid talk; chatter.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English ratelen

Origin: , perhaps from Middle Dutch

Origin: , probably of imitative origin

transitive verb rat·tled, rat·tling, rat·tles

To secure ratlines to (shrouds).

Origin:

Origin: Back-formation from rattling, ratline

Origin: , variant of ratline

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