rattle

/rætl/

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Word: Rattle

Part of Speech: It can be both a noun and a verb.

Definitions:

1. Noun:

   • Rattle (as part of a rattlesnake): The loose, connected sections at the end of a rattlesnake's tail that make a sound when shaken.
   • Baby's Toy: A toy for babies that makes noise when shaken, often used to entertain them.
   • Sounds: A series of short, loud sounds, like those you might hear from a stethoscope when a doctor listens to someone's breathing.
   • Death Rattle: A sound some people make when they are very close to dying, indicating a change in their breathing.

2. Verb:

   • To shake something so that it makes a rattling noise.
   • To make a series of short, quick sounds.

Usage Instructions:

• As a Noun: You can use "rattle" to describe either the sound something makes or the object itself (like the toy or the part of a snake).

  • Example: "The rattle of the snake warned me to stay away." or "The baby loves to play with her rattle."

• As a Verb: Use "rattle" when you want to describe the action of shaking something or making noise.

  • Example: "Please rattle the can to mix the paint."

Advanced Usage:

• In a medical context, "rattle" can describe specific sounds heard during a physical examination.
  • Example: "The doctor noted a rattle in the patient’s lungs."

Word Variants:

• Rattled (adjective): Feeling nervous or shaken up.

  • Example: "After the loud noise, I felt rattled."

• Rattling (adjective): Very loud or making a rattling sound.

  • Example: "He drove by in a rattling old car."

Different Meanings:

• Rattle (in informal usage): To disturb or upset someone, making them feel anxious.
  • Example: "The sudden news rattled her."

Synonyms:

• For the noun: clatter, noise, sound, jingle (for a toy)
• For the verb: shake, jingle, clatter, disturb

Idioms:

• "Rattle someone's cage": To annoy or provoke someone.
  • Example: "He likes to rattle my cage by asking difficult questions."

Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't commonly used phrasal verbs directly related to "rattle," but you can use "rattle off," which means to say something quickly or without much thought.
  • Example: "She can rattle off all the capitals of the world."

Summary:

"Rattle" is a versatile word used to describe sounds, actions of shaking, and even feelings of nervousness.

Academic

Noun

1. loosely connected horny sections at the end of a rattlesnake's tail
2. a baby's toy that makes percussive noises when shaken
3. a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
   • the death rattle

Verb

1. shake and cause to make a rattling noise
2. make short successive sounds

Synonyms

• rattling
• rale