rattle

rattle · verb, noun¹

1. Middle Dutch · derived fromratelen
2. Middle English · inherited fromratelen
3. English todayrattle

From Middle English ratelen, of uncertain origin; perhaps borrowed from Middle Dutch ratelen or of native origin related to Old English hratele, hrætele (“a plant known for its rustling or rattling sound”), ultimately imitative. The noun (c. 1500) is from the verb.

rattle · noun²

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromλίτρα
2. Arabic · borrowed fromرَطْل
3. English todayrattle

From Arabic رَطْل (raṭl), variant of classical رِطْل (riṭl), ultimately from Ancient Greek λίτρα (lítra). Doublet of liter.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 10th c. Any of various plants of the genera Rhinanthus and Pedicularis, whose seeds produce a rattling noise in the wind.
• from 16th c. A baby’s toy designed to make sound when shaken, usually containing loose grains or pellets in a hollow container.
• from 17th c. A musical instrument that makes a rattling sound.
• from 17th c. The set of rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail which produce a rattling sound.
• from 16th c. A rapid succession of percussive sounds, as made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.
• from 17th c. Noisy, rapid talk; babble.
• from 17th c. Trivial chatter; gossip.
• from 17th c. A noisy, senseless talker; a jabberer.