from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rattle \Rat"tle\ (r[a^]t"t'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Rattled}
(-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Rattling} (-tl[i^]ng).] [Akin to D.
ratelen, G. rasseln, AS. hr[ae]tele a rattle, in
hr[ae]telwyrt rattlewort; cf. Gr. kradai`nein to swing, wave.
Cf. {Rail} a bird.]
1. To make a quick succession of sharp, inharmonious noises,
as by the collision of hard and not very sonorous bodies
shaken together; to clatter.
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And the rude hail in rattling tempest forms.
--Addison.
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'T was but the wind,
Or the car rattling o'er the stony street. --Byron.
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2. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering; as,
we rattled along for a couple of miles. [Colloq.]
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3. To make a clatter with the voice; to talk rapidly and
idly; to clatter; -- with on or away; as, she rattled on
for an hour. [Colloq.]
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