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View synonyms for rattle

rattle

1

[rat-l]

verb (used without object)

rattled, rattling 
  1. to give out or cause a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as in consequence of agitation and repeated concussions.

    The windows rattled in their frames.

    Synonyms: knock, clatter
  2. to move or go, especially rapidly, with such sounds.

    The car rattled along the highway.

  3. to talk rapidly; chatter.

    He rattled on for an hour about his ailments.



verb (used with object)

rattled, rattling 
  1. to cause to rattle.

    He rattled the doorknob violently.

  2. to drive, send, bring, etc., especially rapidly, with rattling sounds.

    The wind rattled the metal can across the roadway.

  3. to utter or perform in a rapid or lively manner.

    to rattle off a list of complaints.

  4. to disconcert or confuse (a person).

    A sudden noise rattled the speaker.

    Synonyms: discompose
  5. Hunting.,  to stir up (a cover).

noun

  1. a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as from the collision of hard bodies.

    Synonyms: clatter
  2. an instrument contrived to make a rattling sound, especially a baby's toy filled with small pellets that rattle when shaken.

  3. the series of horny, interlocking elements at the end of the tail of a rattlesnake, with which it produces a rattling sound.

  4. a rattling sound in the throat, as the death rattle.

rattle

2

[rat-l]

verb (used with object)

Nautical.
rattled, rattling 
  1. to furnish with ratlines (usually followed bydown ).

rattle

1

/ ˈrætəl /

verb

  1. to make or cause to make a rapid succession of short sharp sounds, as of loose pellets colliding when shaken in a container

  2. to shake or cause to shake with such a sound

    the explosion rattled the windows

  3. to send, move, drive, etc, with such a sound

    the car rattled along the country road

  4. to chatter idly; talk, esp at length

    he rattled on about his work

  5. (tr; foll by off, out etc) to recite perfunctorily or rapidly

  6. informal,  (tr) to disconcert; make frightened or anxious

“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

noun

  1. a rapid succession of short sharp sounds

  2. an object, esp a baby's toy, filled with small pellets that rattle when shaken

  3. a series of loosely connected horny segments on the tail of a rattlesnake, vibrated to produce a rattling sound

  4. any of various European scrophulariaceous plants having a capsule in which the seeds rattle, such as Pedicularis palustris ( red rattle ) and Rhinanthus minor ( yellow rattle )

  5. idle chatter

  6. an idle chatterer

  7. med another name for rale

“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

Rattle

2

/ ˈrætəl /

noun

  1. Sir Simon . born 1955, English conductor. Principal conductor (1980–91) and music director (1991–98) of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra from 2002

“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

rattle

3

/ ˈrætəl /

verb

  1. to fit (a vessel or its rigging) with ratlines

“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rattle1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb rat(t)elen, ratlen, cognate with Dutch ratelen, German rasseln ); of imitative origin

Origin of rattle2

First recorded in 1720–30; back formation from ratling ratline (taken as verbal noun)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rattle1

C14: from Middle Dutch ratelen ; related to Middle High German razzen , of imitative origin

Origin of rattle2

C18: back formation from rattling , variant of ratline
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Takaichi has given little indication that she is rattled by the bust-up.

There’s a laundry list of issues ailing the AI trade — from big-picture macroeconomic questions affecting the rate-cut outlook, to highly specific comments from key players like OpenAI that have rattled the market.

Read more on MarketWatch

Blind cricket is played with a white plastic ball packed with ball bearings that rattle as it rolls -- which allows it to be heard by players.

Read more on Barron's

An explosion rattled the boat just before 8 p.m., affecting power to lights and cranes, authorities said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The white plastic ball, the size of a tennis ball, is packed with ball bearings that rattle as it rolls.

Read more on Barron's

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