Sekirov Dictionary

rattle

/ˈɹæ.təl/

noun 13
verb 8
forms 5
phrases 4

noun13

Rattling sound.
•
A rapid succession of percussive sounds, as made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.
- I wish they would fix the rattle under my dashboard.
A rough noise produced in the throat by air passing through obstructed airways; croup; a death rattle.
Object that rattles.
•
A baby’s toy designed to make sound when shaken, usually containing loose grains or pellets in a hollow container.
- Pleas'd with a rattle, tickled with a straw. — 1733
•
A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound.
- The rattles of Isis and the cymbals of Brasilea nearly enough resemble each other. — 1614
•
A device which produces a loud rattling sound, especially one having a ratchet mechanism and spun round on a handle.
- [T]he footpath to Hendon went across hay and corn fields and in summer the sound of rattles used by boys hired to "fray" the birds from the crops was familiar. — 1977
•
The set of rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail which produce a rattling sound.
- The rattle of the rattlesnake is composed of the hardened terminal scales, loosened in succession, but not cast off, and modified in form so as to make a series of loose, hollow joints.
Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind.
•
A noisy, senseless talker; a jabberer.
- ‘Sir James is a young Man of an amiable disposition, and excellent character;—a little too much of the Rattle perhaps, but a year or two will rectify that […].’ — 1794
•
(no longer used) Noisy, rapid talk; babble.
- All this adoe about the golden age is but an empty rattle and frivolous conceipt. — 1627
•
(no longer used) Trivial chatter; gossip.
- “And pray where, Lady Honoria,” cried Mrs. Delvile, “do you contrive to pick up all this rattle?” — 1782
(no longer used) A scolding; a sharp rebuke.

verb8

•
To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
- Rattle the can of cat treats if you need to find Fluffy.
•
To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.
- I wish the dashboard in my car would quit rattling.
•
(informal, figurative) To scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
- “Tut!” said old Bittlesham. “Tut is right”, I agreed. Then the rumminess of the thing struck me. “But if you haven’t dropped a parcel over the race,” I said, “why are you looking so rattled?” — 1923
•
To make a clatter with one's voice; to talk rapidly and idly; often with on or away.
- She rattled on for an hour.
•
To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering.
- We rattled along for a couple of miles.
(UK, slang) To experience withdrawal from drugs.
•
(no longer used) To assail, annoy, or stun with a rattling noise.
- Sound but another [drum], and another shall / As loud as thine rattle the welkin’s ear. — 1596
•
(no longer used) To scold; to rail at.
- This came to the Bishop's Ear, who presently sent for the Curate, Rattled him to some Tune, with Menaces to the Highest Degree — 1692

forms

rattled · rattling · rattles · rattleth · rattlest

Phrases with rattle

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