Definition

1. Noun:

   • A series of short, sharp, percussive sounds: A "rattle" is a rapid succession of short, loud, clattering noises.
   • A baby's toy: A "rattle" is a toy for infants that makes a shaking noise when moved.
   • A part of a rattlesnake's tail: The "rattle" is the segmented, horny structure at the end of a rattlesnake's tail that produces a buzzing sound when vibrated.
   • A sound indicating a medical condition: In medicine, a "rattle" can refer to a specific sound heard in some respiratory disorders.

2. Verb:

   • To make a series of short, sharp sounds: To "rattle" means to shake and cause a quick succession of knocking or clattering noises.
   • To cause something to make such sounds: To "rattle" an object is to shake it so it produces these noises.
   • To move with such sounds: To "rattle" can describe something moving while making these noises.
   • To disconcert or fluster someone: To "rattle" a person means to make them nervous, upset, or confused.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The rattle of the old train kept me awake. (The series of clattering sounds from the train was disruptive.)
  • The baby was fascinated by the colorful rattle. (The toy that makes noise when shaken held the baby's attention.)
  • We heard the warning rattle of the snake. (The sound from the snake's tail served as a warning.)

• Verb:

  • The strong wind rattled the windows. (The wind caused the windows to shake and make noise.)
  • The old car rattled down the dirt road. (The car moved noisily down the road.)
  • The unexpected question rattled the speaker. (The question upset or flustered the speaker.)

Advanced Usage

• "Death rattle": A gurgling or rattling sound sometimes produced by a person who is near death, caused by air passing through accumulated mucus.

  • The nurse recognized the death rattle in the patient's breathing.

• "Sabre-rattling": The display or threat of military force, often as an act of political intimidation.

  • The diplomat dismissed the enemy's maneuvers as mere sabre-rattling.

Variants and Related Words

• Rattler (n): An informal term for a rattlesnake.

  • Be careful hiking; there are rattlers in this canyon.

• Rattling (adj/adv): Used for emphasis, meaning very or extremely.

  • He gave a rattling good speech. (He gave an extremely good speech.)

• Rattletrap (n): An old, noisy, and dilapidated vehicle.

  • My first car was a real rattletrap.

Synonyms

• Clatter (n/v): A continuous rattling sound; to make such a sound.
• Jangle (n/v): A harsh, metallic ringing or clashing sound.
• Fluster (v): To make someone agitated or confused (for the verb meaning 'to disconcert').

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Rattle off: To say or recite something very quickly and easily.

  • She can rattle off all the state capitals without thinking.

• Rattle on: To talk continuously in a lively but often trivial way.

  • He rattled on about his vacation for an hour.

• Rattle through: To do or say something very quickly.

  • We rattled through the agenda to finish the meeting early.

Related Idioms

• Rattle someone's cage: To deliberately annoy or provoke someone.

  • Ignore him; he's just trying to rattle your cage.

• Rattle sabres: To threaten or display aggression, especially militarily. (See "sabre-rattling" in Advanced Usage).

  • The general warned against other nations coming to rattle sabres on their border.

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