Dictionary

rattle en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• [ˈɹæ.tɫ̩]
• /ˈɹæ.təl/

Etymology

From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles. ▸ Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind.
2. (countable, uncountable) 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, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], (please specify |epistle=I to IV), London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC:
3. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles. ▸ A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound.
   • The rattles of Isis and the cymbals of Brasilea nearly enough resemble each other. 1614, Walter Ralegh [i.e., Walter Raleigh], The Historie of the World […], London: […] William Stansby for Walter Burre, […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=1 to 5):
4. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles. ▸ 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, K.M. Elizabeth Murray, Caught in the Web of Words, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 107:
5. (countable, uncountable) Object that rattles. ▸ The set of rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail which produce a rattling sound.
   • The majority of snakes were killed on the spot, as a snaker only had to produce the rattles to collect the bounty. 2017, Kenny Salwey, J. Scott Bestul, The Last River Rat: Kenny Salwey's Life in the Wild:
   • 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.
6. (countable, onomatopoeic, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ A rapid succession of percussive sounds, as made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.
   • For a few minutes, the sharp cracking of guns ahead warned them to haste, but finally the reports dwindled to an occasional shot, presently ceasing altogether. Nor was this less ominous than the rattle of musketry, for it suggested but a single solution to the little band of rescuers—that the illy garrisoned village had already succumbed to the onslaught of a superior force. 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 133:
   • The rattle of a drum. 1902, Arthur M. Winfield, The Rover Boys in the Mountains, Chapter 4:
   • I wish they would fix the rattle under my dashboard.
7. (archaic, countable, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ Noisy, rapid talk; babble.
   • All this adoe about the golden age is but an empty rattle and frivolous conceipt. 1627, G[eorge] H[akewill], An Apologie of the Power and Prouidence of God in the Gouernment of the World. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Iohn Lichfield and William Turner, […], →OCLC:
8. (archaic, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ Trivial chatter; gossip.
   • “And pray where, Lady Honoria,” cried Mrs. Delvile, “do you contrive to pick up all this rattle?” 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.v.5:
9. (countable, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ A noisy, senseless talker; a jabberer.
   • It may seem strange that a man who wrote with so much perspicuity, vivacity, and grace, should have been, whenever he took a part in conversation, an empty, noisy, blundering rattle. 1856 February, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Oliver Goldsmith”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC:
   • ‘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 […].’ c. 1794, Jane Austen, Lady Susan:
10. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ A scolding; a sharp rebuke.
11. (countable, uncountable) Rattling sound. ▸ A rough noise produced in the throat by air passing through obstructed airways; croup; a death rattle.

Forms

Deriveds

rattlewort · Scotsman's rattle · rattleback · rattleheaded · rattleroot · rattleless · rattlebag · throw one's rattle out of the pram · rattlebox · berattle · rattlepated · throw one's rattle out of the cot · rattlesnake · rattleskull · in the rattle · watchman's rattle · rattle stone · rattlehead · gourd rattle · red rattle · yellow rattle · rattlewings · rattlebrain · rattlepate · rattly · death rattle · antirattle · rattlebush · tobacco rattle · rattlesome · rattlepod · rattlebrained · rattleweed · rattleproof · death-rattle

Translations (173)

fi kolina (sound) · hu babacsörgő (baby’s toy) · ru болту́н (noisy, senseless talker) · mi kākara (a device that makes a rattling noise) · pt chocalho (musical instrument) · grc κρότος (sound) · fi helinä (sound) · tl pakalog (baby’s toy) · sv rassel (sound) · ru трещо́тка (a device that makes a rattling noise) · pt vozerio (noisy, rapid talk) · pt chocalho (baby’s toy) · nl geratel (sound) · hu hadarás (noisy, rapid talk) · fr cliquetis (sound) · nl ratel (a device that makes a rattling noise) · sh čegr̀tāljka (sound) · vi lách cách (sound) · gsw Schätterli (baby’s toy) · pl rzężenie (sound made in the throat whilst breathing when mucus is not fully cleared) · nl ratel (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · hu fecsegés (noisy, rapid talk) · ru гро́хот (sound) · fi jäkätys (noisy, rapid talk) · pl kołatka (a device that makes a rattling noise) · sh чегр̀та̄љка (sound) · es sonaja (baby’s toy) · hu locsogó (noisy, senseless talker) · cmn 手搖鈴 /手摇铃 (baby’s toy) · cs chrastítko (baby’s toy) · pl klekotka (noisy, senseless talker) · sh ropac (sound) · de Klapper (baby’s toy) · sh клопо̀тац (sound) · ccc tsekolo (baby’s toy) · nv aghááł (musical instrument) · ja ガタガタ音 (sound) · sh кле̏пе̄т (sound) · sw kayamba (sound) · es cascabel (baby’s toy) · de Gerassel (sound) · pt cascavel (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · ru дребезжа́ние (sound) · no skrangle (baby’s toy) · sk hrkálka (baby’s toy) · fi kalistin (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · cy cribell (Rhinanthus) · da rangle (baby’s toy) · sh ропац (sound) · ca sonall (baby’s toy) · pt reprimenda (scolding, sharp rebuke) · hu kereplő (a device that makes a rattling noise) · ru треск (sound) · de Rassel (baby’s toy) · af ratel (sound) · pl grzechotka (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · pl grzechotka (musical instrument) · nl geratel (noisy, rapid talk) · es sonajero (baby’s toy) · de Rasseln (sound) · pl paplanie (noisy, rapid talk) · hi झुनझुना (baby’s toy) · ru трескотня́ (noisy, rapid talk) · fr crépitement (sound) · hu fecsegő (noisy, senseless talker) · sv skallra (musical instrument) · sh klȅpēt (sound) · ru погрему́шка (baby’s toy) · bg дрънкалка (baby’s toy) · pt matraca (noisy, senseless talker) · de Geklapper (sound) · mi whakararā (sound) · fi läpättäjä (noisy, senseless talker) · el κουδουνίστρα (baby’s toy) · pl paplanina (noisy, rapid talk) · ru трещо́тка (baby’s toy) · it sonaglio (baby’s toy) · fr bruit (sound) · sh зве̏чка (baby’s toy) · nl gerammel (sound) · la crepitus (sound) · hu hadaró (noisy, senseless talker) · az şaxşax (baby’s toy) · hu karattyoló (noisy, senseless talker) · sh zvȅčka (sound) · pt repreensão (scolding, sharp rebuke) · ar خُشْخِيشَة (baby’s toy) · hy չխկչխկան (baby’s toy) · hu csörgő (baby’s toy) · ru болтовня́ (noisy, rapid talk) · af ratel (baby’s toy) · pt guizo (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · fr râle (sound made in the throat whilst breathing when mucus is not fully cleared) · fi läpätys (noisy, rapid talk) · pt grafonola (noisy, senseless talker) · sh zvȅčka (baby’s toy) · nan-hbl lêng (a device that makes a rattling noise) · pl klekotka (musical instrument) · ja ガラガラ (baby’s toy) · mi tātara (baby’s toy) · pl grzechotanie (sound) · gl ruxe ruxe (sound) · gl axóuxere (baby’s toy) · be бразготка (baby’s toy) · sh хро̀пац (sound) · pl klekotanie (sound) · pl grzechotka (baby’s toy) · sh кло̏по̄т (sound) · no rasle (baby’s toy) · ru болту́нья (noisy, senseless talker) · pl grzechotka (a device that makes a rattling noise) · sh hròpac (sound) · no rangle (baby’s toy) · vi lạch cạch (sound) · pl charczenie (sound made in the throat whilst breathing when mucus is not fully cleared) · ru пустоме́ля (noisy, senseless talker) · ko 딸랑이 (baby’s toy) · fr hochet (baby’s toy) · pt chocalho (zoology: organ that produces a rattling sound) · uk бря́зкальце (baby’s toy) · fi tyrmäys (scolding, sharp rebuke) · ru стук (sound) · sh klȍpōt (sound) · he רעשן (baby’s toy) · de Klappern (sound) · sv skallra (baby’s toy) · fi räpättäjä (noisy, senseless talker) · hu zörgés (sound) · uk бря́зкало (baby’s toy) · sh зве̏чка (sound) · chy šé'šeno (a device that makes a rattling noise) · bg тропане (sound) · bg чукане (sound) · sh klopòtac (sound) · pl trajkotanie (noisy, rapid talk) · nl rammelaar (baby’s toy) · pt balbúrdia (noisy, rapid talk) · hu karattyolás (noisy, rapid talk) · ar شُخْلِيلَة (baby’s toy) · fi räpätys (noisy, rapid talk) · pl trajkotanie (sound) · nl ratel (musical instrument) · pl trajkotka (a device that makes a rattling noise) · mi hue rarā (musical instrument) · fi helistin (baby’s toy) · pt chocalhada (sound) · ru трещо́тка (musical instrument) · pl trajkotka (musical instrument) · mi rarā (baby’s toy) · ga gligín (baby’s toy) · is hringla (baby’s toy) · fi jäkättäjä (noisy, senseless talker) · ru колоту́шка (a device that makes a rattling noise) · la increpatio (scolding, sharp rebuke) · bg кречетало (a device that makes a rattling noise) · la crepundia (baby’s toy) · pl trajkotka (noisy, senseless talker) · ga gliogar (sound) · ca sacsejador (musical instrument) · da rasle (baby’s toy) · fi kalina (sound) · es matraca (sound) · nl ratelaar (noisy, senseless talker) · hu locsogás (noisy, rapid talk) · pt bronca (scolding, sharp rebuke) · grc κρόταλον (musical instrument) · fi helistin (musical instrument) · pl gruchawka (musical instrument) · hu csörgés (sound) · mi ngēngē (sound made in the throat whilst breathing when mucus is not fully cleared) · pt chocalho (a device that makes a rattling noise) · pl klekotka (a device that makes a rattling noise) · mi kākara (baby’s toy)

rattle en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• [ˈɹæ.tɫ̩]
• /ˈɹæ.təl/

Etymology

From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb.

Meanings

1. (ergative, transitive) To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
   • to rattle a chain
   • It was a deflating end to the drama for the hosts and they appeared ruffled, with Bolton going close to a leveller when Johan Elmander rattled the bar with a header from Matt Taylor’s cross. 2011 February 5, Michael Kevin Darling, “Tottenham 2 - 1 Bolton”, in BBC:
   • Rattle the can of cat treats if you need to find Fluffy.
2. (figuratively, informal, transitive) To scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve.
   • The German authorities are still trying to determine what damage their mole may have done. But the discovery of a double agent has rattled German political circles. 2023 February 17, Erika Solomon, Christopher F. Schuetze, Julian E. Barnes, “A Russian Mole in Germany Sows Suspicions at Home, and Beyond”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
   • That United were rattled, mentally as well as at times physically – legitimately so – was beyond question. Nick Powell clipped a crisp drive a foot over the bar, but otherwise Milton Keynes had the best of the remainder of the first half. 2014 August 26, Richard Rae, “Manchester United humbled by MK Dons after Will Grigg hits double”, in The Guardian:
   • “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 May 17, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, “(please specify the page)”, in The Inimitable Jeeves, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:
3. (intransitive) To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.
   • I wish the dashboard in my car would quit rattling.
4. (obsolete, transitive) 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. c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
5. (obsolete, transitive) 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, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
6. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering.
   • We rattled along for a couple of miles.
7. To make a clatter with one's voice; to talk rapidly and idly; often with on or away.
   • She rattled on for an hour.
8. (UK, slang) To experience withdrawal from drugs.

Forms

Deriveds

rattle one's hocks · rattle one's saber · rattle one's sabre · rattle trap · rattle sabres · rattle about · rattle the bones · saber rattle · rattle a saber · sabre-rattling · rattletrap · rattle someone's cage · rattlesnake · rattle off · sabre rattle · rattle can · rattle-free · rattle the saber · rattler · rattle around · rattle the sabre · rattle through · death rattle · rattle someone's chain · rattle a sabre · sabre-rattle · saber-rattle · rerattle · rattle on · death-rattle · unrattled

Relateds

jingle · rumble · clapper · clatter · ruttle

Translations (131)

nl ratelen (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · gl gorxear (to scold; to rail at) · ru тре́снуть (to create a sound by shaking) · oc rangolar (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · es traquetear (to make a rattling noise) · gl bufiñar (to scold; to rail at) · ru тре́снуть (to make a rattling noise) · sv rassla (to make a rattling noise) · es tracatear (to make a rattling noise) · gl estrilar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · nl alarmeren (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · hu fecseg (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · ru грохота́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · pt chocalhar (to make a rattling noise) · bg дрънкам (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · it sferragliare (to make a rattling noise) · hu hadar (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · pt chacoalhar (to create a sound by shaking) · ru прогреме́ть (to make a rattling noise) · hu locsog (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · mi patatō (to make a rattling noise) · ru прогрохота́ть (to make a rattling noise) · nl ratelen (to make a rattling noise) · ru потреща́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · vi rung lách cách (to create a sound by shaking) · es cascabelear (to make a rattling noise) · pt inquietar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · es inquietar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · pl charczeć (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · gl refonfonear (to scold; to rail at) · fr faire s'entrechoquer (to make a rattling noise) · gl roñar (to scold; to rail at) · de verunsichern (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · fr inquiéter (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · fr cliqueter (to create a sound by shaking) · sv skramla (to make a rattling noise) · gl cibrar (to make a rattling noise) · gl inquedar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · hu recseg (to make a rattling noise) · pt chocalhar (to create a sound by shaking) · pl rzęzić (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · hu zörög (to make a rattling noise) · ru прогреме́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · hu zörget (to create a sound by shaking) · hu karattyol (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · de rasseln (to create a sound by shaking) · fi ravistella (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · oc retopegar (to scold; to rail at) · bg тракам (to create a sound by shaking) · hu ropog (to make a rattling noise) · fr houspiller (to scold; to rail at) · fi kolista (to make a rattling noise) · gl abrouxar (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · de scheppern (to create a sound by shaking) · nl ratelen (to drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering) · ru пугать (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · eo kraktintigi (to create a sound by shaking) · fi säikäyttää (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · nl rammelen (to drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering) · fr râler (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · gl derranxar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · sv göra nervös (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · oc raufelar (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · es sonajear (to create a sound by shaking) · ar قَعْقَعَ (to make a rattling noise) · oc semonsar (to scold; to rail at) · la crepō (to make a rattling noise) · gl tremer (to make a rattling noise) · io resonigar (to create a sound by shaking) · fr tancer (to scold; to rail at) · fi kalista (to make a rattling noise) · mi tatangi (to make a rattling noise) · gl torvar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · mi patatō (to create a sound by shaking) · de rasseln (to make a rattling noise) · gl tremer (to create a sound by shaking) · fi helistää (to create a sound by shaking) · fi kalistella (to create a sound by shaking) · la crepō (to create a sound by shaking) · oc ronar (to scold; to rail at) · sv skaka om (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · mi tatetate (to create a sound by shaking) · pl grzechotać (to create a sound by shaking) · sv rossla (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · gl trafugar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · ru треща́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · ceb ratol (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · pl grzechotać (to make a rattling noise) · ru греме́ть (to make a rattling noise) · sv skramla (to create a sound by shaking) · gl roucar (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · mi rarā (to make a rattling noise) · cs řinčet (to make a rattling noise) · pt desconcertar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · fr gronder (to scold; to rail at) · hu csörget (to create a sound by shaking) · gl treinar (to create a sound by shaking) · nl verontrusten (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · ru дребезжа́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · mi ngēngē (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · ca trepidar (to create a sound by shaking) · hu vacog (to make a rattling noise) · gl bourear (to make a clatter with a voice; to talk rapidly and idly) · sv skrämma (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · es traquetear (to create a sound by shaking) · eo kraktinti (to make a rattling noise) · vi rung lạch cạch (to create a sound by shaking) · gl treinar (to make a rattling noise) · hu csörög (to make a rattling noise) · gl sornear (to make a rattling noise in the chest whilst breathing) · fi kolistella (to create a sound by shaking) · ru прогрохота́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · nl ratelen (to create a sound by shaking) · sv rassla (to create a sound by shaking) · fi helistä (to make a rattling noise) · gl trenguelear (to create a sound by shaking) · bg тропам (to create a sound by shaking) · sv skaka (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · ru дребезжа́ть (to make a rattling noise) · gl esvenxicar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · ru греме́ть (to create a sound by shaking) · sv skallra (to create a sound by shaking) · ru потреща́ть (to make a rattling noise) · mi pātētē (to make a rattling noise) · hy չխկչխկալ (to create a sound by shaking) · gl desacougar (to scare, startle, unsettle, or unnerve) · pt chacoalhar (to make a rattling noise) · mi tatetate (to make a rattling noise) · ru грохота́ть (to make a rattling noise) · gl trenguelear (to make a rattling noise) · ru треща́ть (to make a rattling noise)

rattle en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• [ˈɹæ.tɫ̩]
• /ˈɹæ.təl/

Etymology

From Arabic رَطْل (raṭl), variant of classical رِطْل (riṭl), ultimately from Ancient Greek λίτρα (lítra). Doublet of liter.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative, historical) Alternative form of rottol: a former Middle Eastern and North African unit of dry weight usually equal to 1–5 lb (0.5–2.5 kg).
   alt of rottol

Forms