rattle 1
/rat"l/ , v. , rattled, rattling , n.
v.i.
1. to give out or cause a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as in consequence of agitation and repeated concussions: The windows rattled in their frames.
2. to move or go, esp. rapidly, with such sounds: The car rattled along the highway.
3. to talk rapidly; chatter: He rattled on for an hour about his ailments.
v.t.
4. to cause to rattle: He rattled the doorknob violently.
5. to drive, send, bring, etc., esp. rapidly, with rattling sounds: The wind rattled the metal can across the roadway.
6. to utter or perform in a rapid or lively manner: to rattle off a list of complaints.
7. to disconcert or confuse (a person): A sudden noise rattled the speaker.
8. Hunting. to stir up (a cover).
n.
9. a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as from the collision of hard bodies.
10. an instrument contrived to make a rattling sound, esp. a baby's toy filled with small pellets that rattle when shaken.
11. the series of horny, interlocking elements at the end of the tail of a rattlesnake, with which it produces a rattling sound.
12. a rattling sound in the throat, as the death rattle.
[ 1250-1300; ME ratelen (v.), ratele (n.) (c. D ratelen, G rasseln ); imit. ]
Syn. 1. clatter, knock. 7. discompose. 9. clatter.
rattle 2
/rat"l/ , v.t., rattled, rattling . Naut.
to furnish with ratlines (usually fol. by down ).
[ 1720-30; back formation from ratling RATLINE (taken as verbal n.) ]