rattler

[rat-ler]

noun

1. a rattlesnake.

2. a person or thing that rattles. rattle.

3. Informal.,  a fast freight train.

rattler

/ ˈrætlə /

noun

1. something that rattles

2. an informal name for rattlesnake

Word History and Origins

Origin of rattler¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; rattle ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

There actually were 20 snakes — five adult western diamondback rattlers and 15 babies.

From Seattle Times

Many controllers call the schedule “the rattler” because like the snake, it has a nasty bite.

From Seattle Times

I do not have an inordinate fear of snakes, not even rattlers.

From Literature

The ends of the rainbows touched down in the rolling fields below me, no place green enough to hide a leprechaun but a fair swap for living with rattlers.

From Salon

On more than one occasion he's found himself under a house or a trailer in the wee hours of darkness tracking down a copperhead or rattler that needs to be moved.

From Scientific American