rattlepate

American  

[rat-l-peyt] / ˈræt lˌpeɪt /

noun

1. a rattlebrain.

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Other Word Forms

• rattlepated adjective

Etymology

Origin of rattlepate

First recorded in 1635–45; rattle ¹ + pate

Example Sentences

All the world, take my word, deal in gingerbread ware; Your fine beaus and your belles and your rattlepate rakes— One half are game-nuts, the rest gingerbread cakes; Then in gingerbread coaches we’ve gingerbread lords, And gingerbread soldiers with gingerbread swords.

From Project Gutenberg

When Undercut was placed second to Pandriver at the North Country Second Autumn Handicap two years ago, I warned everybody that Wobbling Willie who is half-brother to Rattlepate by Spring Onion, ought to have made a certainty of the race if the gruel-brained idiots who own him had only rubbed his back with Daffy's Elixir twice a-day before going to bed.

From Project Gutenberg

"Can't, with a rattlepate like that."

From Project Gutenberg

Royal Lowrie is an especially engaging rattlepate, and we do not wonder that he wins forgiveness on all sides.”

From Project Gutenberg

The morning star grew pale and vanished in the clear-flashing delight of sunrise, as Richard rode forth to meet the string of racers; as he noted the varying form and fortune of Rattlepate or Sweet Rosemary, of Yellow Jacket, Morion or Light-o'-Love, over the short fragrant turf of the gallop; as he felt the virile joy which the strength of the horses and the pounding rush of them as they swept past him ever aroused in him.

From Project Gutenberg