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jangle

[jang-guh l]
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verb (used without object), jan·gled, jan·gling.
  1. to produce a harsh, discordant sound, as two comparatively small, thin, or hollow pieces of metal hitting together: The charms on her bracelet jangle as she moves.
  2. to speak angrily; wrangle.
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verb (used with object), jan·gled, jan·gling.
  1. to cause to make a harsh, discordant, usually metallic sound: He jangled the pots and pans.
  2. to cause to become irritated or upset: The loud noise of the motors jangled his nerves.
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noun
  1. a harsh or discordant sound.
  2. an argument, dispute, or quarrel.
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Origin of jangle

1250–1300; Middle English janglen < Old French jangler < Germanic; compare Middle Dutch jangelen to haggle, whine
Related formsjan·gler, nounjan·gly, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for jangly

jangle

verb
  1. to sound or cause to sound discordantly, harshly, or unpleasantlythe telephone jangled
  2. (tr) to produce a jarring effect onthe accident jangled his nerves
  3. an archaic word for wrangle
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noun
  1. a harsh, unpleasant ringing noise
  2. an argument or quarrel
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Derived Formsjangler, noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French jangler, of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch jangelen to whine, complain
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 jangly

jangle

v.

c.1300, jangeln, "to talk excessively, chatter, talk idly," from Old French jangler "to chatter, gossip, bawl, argue noisily" (12c.), perhaps from Frankish *jangelon "to jeer" or some other Germanic source (cf. Middle Dutch jangelen "to whine"). Meaning "make harsh noise" is first recorded late 15c. Related: Jangled; jangling.

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jangle

n.

late 13c., "gossip, slanderous conversation, dispute," from Old French jangle, from jangler (see jangle (v.)). Meaning "discordant sound" is from 1795.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper