verb
rattles; rattled; rattling
[no obj] :to hit against something repeatedly and make a quick series of short, loud sounds
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to move or shake and make a series of noises :to cause (something) to rattle
always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] :to make quick, short, loud sounds while moving
[+ obj] :to upset or disturb (someone)
rattle around
[phrasal verb]
rattle around or rattle around (something) informal :to live or spend time in a place that is very big
rattle off
[phrasal verb]
rattle (something) off or rattle off (something) informal :to say (something) quickly or easily from memory
rattle on
[phrasal verb] informal :to talk for a long time about things that are not interesting or important - often + about
rattle someone's cage
rattle through
[phrasal verb]
rattle through (something) Brit :to do (something) quickly
noun
plural rattles
[count] a series of short, loud sounds - usually singular
a baby's toy that makes a series of short sounds when it is shaken
the group of hard, loose pieces (called scales) that cover the end of a rattlesnake's tail