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| rat·tle [ rátt'l ] |
verb (past and past participle rat·tled, present participle rat·tling, 3rd person present singular rat·tles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb make short sharp knocking sounds: to make short sharp knocking sounds in quick succession, especially as a result of being moved or shaken, or make something do this
  The windows and doors rattled in the wind.
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2. intransitive verb move with rattling sound: to move while making a rattling sound
The old jalopy rattled noisily down the street.
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3. transitive verb disconcert somebody: to make somebody lose composure and feel frightened, worried, confused, or annoyed
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noun (plural rat·tles) |
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| Definition: |
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1. short sharp knocking sounds: a quick succession of short sharp knocking sounds, usually caused by something being moved or shaken
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2. baby's toy: a baby's toy consisting of a hollow shape with small objects inside, that rattles when it is shaken
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3. noisemaker: an object that produces a rattling sound, e.g. a musical instrument or a tool used by a shaman
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4. reptiles tip of rattlesnake's tail: a set of loosely attached horny segments at the end of a rattlesnake's tail that produce a rattling or buzzing sound when shaken
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5. medicine rattling noise in throat: a rattling or rasping noise made in the throat, caused by obstructed breathing and heard especially near death
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6. plants plant with rattling seeds: a plant whose seeds rattle inside the seed capsule
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| [14th century. Probably < Middle Low German ratelen, an imitation of the sound] |
