rat·tle
1 (răt́l)
[Middle English ratelen, perhaps from Middle Dutch, probably of imitative origin.]
verb: -tled, -tling, -tles.
intransitive verb
- To make or emit a quick succession of short percussive sounds.
- To move with such sounds: A train rattled along the track.
- To talk rapidly and at length, usually without much thought: rattled on about this and that.
transitive verb
- To cause to make a quick succession of short percussive sounds: rattled the dishes in the kitchen.
- To utter or perform rapidly or effortlessly: rattled off a list of complaints.
- Informal To fluster; unnerve: The accident rattled me. See synonyms at embarrass
noun
- A rapid succession of short percussive sounds.
- A device, such as a baby's toy, that produces short percussive sounds.
- A rattling sound in the throat caused by obstructed breathing, especially near the time of death.
- The series of horny structures at the end of a rattlesnake's tail.
- Loud or rapid talk; chatter.
rat·tle
2 (răt́l)
[Back-formation from rattling, ratline, variant of ratline.]
transitive verb: -tled, -tling, -tles.
- To secure ratlines to (shrouds).
