v. & n.
--v.
1. a intr. give out a rapid succession of short sharp hard sounds. b tr. make (a chair, window, crockery, etc.) do this. c intr. cause such sounds by shaking something (rattled at the door).
2 a intr. move with a rattling noise. b intr. drive a vehicle or ride or run briskly. c tr. cause to move quickly (the bill was rattled through Parliament).
3 a tr. (usu. foll. by off) say or recite rapidly. b intr. (usu. foll. by on) talk in a lively thoughtless way.
4 tr. colloq. disconcert, alarm, fluster, make nervous, frighten.
--n.
1. a rattling sound.
2 an instrument or plaything made to rattle esp. in order to amuse babies or to give an alarm.
3 the set of horny rings in a rattlesnake's tail.
4 a plant with seeds that rattle in their cases when ripe (red rattle; yellow rattle).
5 uproar, bustle, noisy gaiety, racket.
6 a a noisy flow of words. b empty chatter, trivial talk.
7 archaic a lively or thoughtless incessant talker.
Phrases and idioms:
rattle the sabre threaten war.
Derivatives:
rattly adj.
Etymology: ME, prob. f. MDu. & LG ratelen (imit.)