rattle
verb
- cause to shake
- emit rattling sounds
noun
- percussion beater as part of a musical instrument
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɹæ.təl/ / [ˈɹæ.tɫ̩]
noun
Etymology: From Arabic رَطْل (raṭl), variant of classical رِطْل (riṭl), ultimately from Ancient Greek λίτρα (lítra). Doublet of liter.
- 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).
verb
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.
- To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.
“to rattle a chain”
“Rattle the can of cat treats if you need to find Fluffy.”
- 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?””
“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.”
- To make a rattling noise; to make noise by or from shaking.
“I wish the dashboard in my car would quit rattling.”
- 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.”
- 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”
- To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering.
“We rattled along for a couple of miles.”
- 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 experience withdrawal from drugs.