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gabble

[gab-uh l]
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verb (used without object), gab·bled, gab·bling.
  1. to speak or converse rapidly and unintelligibly; jabber.
  2. (of hens, geese, etc.) to cackle.
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verb (used with object), gab·bled, gab·bling.
  1. to utter rapidly and unintelligibly.
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noun
  1. rapid, unintelligible talk.
  2. any quick succession of meaningless sounds.
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Origin of gabble

1570–80; perhaps < Middle Dutch gabbelen, or expressive formation in English; cf. gab1, gob4, -le
Related formsgab·bler, nounout·gab·ble, verb (used with object), out·gab·bled, out·gab·bling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for gabble

gibber, cackle, patter, babble, jabber, yap, chitchat, drivel, prate, talk, yak, clatter, gossip, blab, chatter, gab, twaddle

Examples from the Web for gabble

Historical Examples of gabble

  • And all the time the gabble of the women mocked at the silence of death.

    Things as They Are

    Amy Wilson-Carmichael

  • While I cannot but be grateful to Mrs. Gabble for her kindness, I wish it had taken some other shape.

  • Mrs. Gabble, it is not a question of harm, but of obedience, here.

  • “Oh, I would not take that gabble of a priest seriously if I were you,” he suggested.

    The Treasure Trail

    Marah Ellis Ryan

  • And the rest o' the tune it was all gabble, gabble by the brothers and sisters about you.

British Dictionary definitions for gabble

gabble

verb
  1. to utter (words, etc) rapidly and indistinctly; jabber
  2. (intr) (of geese and some other birds or animals) to utter rapid cackling noises
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noun
  1. rapid and indistinct speech or noises
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Derived Formsgabbler, noun

Word Origin for gabble

C17: from Middle Dutch gabbelen, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gabble

v.

1570s, frequentative of gab (q.v.), or else imitative. Related: Gabbled; gabbling.

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n.

c.1600, from gabble (v.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper