■ verb
1》 make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds.
↘move or travel with a knocking sound: trains ~d past.
2》 informal make nervous, worried, or irritated.
3》 ( ~ about/around in ) be in or occupy (an unnecessarily large space).
4》 ( ~ something off ) say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly.
5》 ( ~ on/away ) talk rapidly and at length.
■ noun
1》 a rattling sound.
2》 a thing that makes a rattling sound, in particular a baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets.
↘the set of horny rings at the end of a ~snake's tail.
3》 a gurgling sound in the throat.
4》 archaic a person who chatters constantly.
Phrases
~ sabres threaten to take aggressive action.
Derivatives
rattly adjective
Origin
ME: related to MDu. and Low Ger. ratelen , of imitative origin.