/ ˈrætl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( informal )
1.
to make a series of short loud sounds when hitting against sth hard; to make sth do this :
[ v ]
Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled.
[also vn ]
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( of a vehicle ) to make a series of short loud sounds as it moves somewhere :
A convoy of trucks rattled by.
3.
[ vn ] to make sb nervous or frightened
SYN unnerve :
He was clearly rattled by the question.
—see also sabre-rattling
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IDIOMS
- rattle sb's cage
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PHRASAL VERBS
- rattle around | rattle around sth
- rattle sth off
- rattle on (about sth)
■ noun
1.
(also rat·tling ) [ usually sing. ] a series of short loud sounds made when hard objects hit against each other :
the rattle of gunfire
From the kitchen came a rattling of cups and saucers.
—see also death rattle
2.
a baby's toy that makes a series of short loud sounds when it is shaken
3.
( BrE ) a wooden object that is held in one hand and makes a series of short loud sounds when you spin it round, used, for example, by people watching a sports game
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : related to Middle Dutch and Low German ratelen , of imitative origin.