Dictionary

rattlesome en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree English rattle Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *somHós Proto-Germanic *samaz Proto-Germanic *-samaz Proto-West Germanic *-sam Old English -sum Middle English -som English -some English rattlesome From rattle + -some.

Meanings

1. Characterised or marked by rattling.
   • You know the ones. A finger drawn menacingly across the throat, probably severing the vocal chords. This is unsettling, for the presenter. Forefinger twirling impatiently in the air, indicating “Hurry up, you're running long.” Again, that's rattlesome. 2014, Ron Hoff, I Can See You Naked:
   • Oh, two little devils with rattlesome chains, / She up with the poker, she knocked out their brains. 2015, Bertrand Harris Bronson, The Traditional Tunes of the Child Ballads, Volume 4:

Forms