rattlepate

[rat-l-peyt]

noun

1. a rattlebrain.

Other Word Forms

• rattlepated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rattlepate¹

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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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