rattle

rattle

rattle¹ [rat′'l]

vi.

rattled, rattling [ME ratelen, prob. of WGmc echoic orig., akin to Ger rasseln]

1. to make a series of sharp, short sounds in quick succession

2. to go or move with such sounds [a wagon rattling over the stones]

3. to talk rapidly and incessantly; chatter: often with on

vt.

1. to cause to rattle [to rattle the handle of a door]

2. to utter or perform rapidly

☆ 3. to confuse or upset; disconcert [to rattle a speaker with catcalls]

n.

1. a quick succession of sharp, short sounds

2. a rattling noise made by air passing through the mucus of a partly closed throat: cf. DEATH RATTLE

3. a noisy uproar; loud chatter

4.

☆ a) a series of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, used to produce a rattling sound

b) any of these

5. a device, as a baby's toy or a percussion instrument, made to rattle when shaken

SYN.- EMBARRASS

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rattle around in

to live or work in (a house, office, etc.) that is too big for one's needs

rattle² [rat′'l]

vt.

rattled, rattling [back-form. < ratling (taken as prp.), var. of RATLINE]

to provide with ratlines: usually with down