rattle: Meaning and Definition of

rat•tle

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.

1. to cause to rattle: He rattled the doorknob violently.
2. to drive, send, bring, etc., esp. rapidly, with rattling sounds: The wind rattled the metal can across the roadway.
3. to utter or perform in a rapid or lively manner: to rattle off a list of complaints.
4. to disconcert or confuse (a person): A sudden noise rattled the speaker.
5. to stir up (a cover).

1. a rapid succession of short, sharp sounds, as from the collision of hard bodies.
2. an instrument contrived to make a rattling sound, esp. a baby's toy filled with small pellets that rattle when shaken.
3. the series of horny, interlocking elements at the end of the tail of a rattlesnake, with which it produces a rattling sound.
4. a rattling sound in the throat, as the death rattle.

rat•tle

1. to furnish with ratlines (usually fol. by down).