v.
     - make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds. ▸move or travel with a knocking sound: ![]()  trains rattled past. 
- informal make nervous, worried, or irritated.
- 
(rattle about/around in)
 be in or occupy (an unnecessarily large space).
- 
(rattle something off)
 say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly.
- 
(rattle on/away)
 talk rapidly and at length.
n.
    - a rattling sound.
- a thing that makes a rattling sound, in particular a baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets. ▸the set of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail. 
- a gurgling sound in the throat.
- archaic a person who chatters constantly.
Phrase
  
    
      - rattle sabres
 threaten to take aggressive action.
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  ME: rel. to MDu. and Low Ger. ratelen, of imitative origin.