rattle: [14] Rattle probably existed in Old English, but in the absence of any direct evidence, it is usually suggested that the word was borrowed from Middle Low German rattelen, a relative of German rasseln ‘rattle’. Whatever its ultimate source, it no doubt originally imitated the sound of rattling.
c. 1300 (intransitive), "To make a quick sharp noise with frequent repetitions and collisions of bodies not very sonorous: when bodies are sonorous, it is called jingling" [Johnson]. Perhaps in Old English but not recorded; if not, from Middle Dutch ratelen, probably of imitative origin (compare German rasseln "to rattle," Greek kradao "I rattle"). Sense of "utter smartly and rapidly" is late 14c. Meaning "to go along loosely and noisily" is from 1550s. Transitive sense is late 14c.; figurative sense of "fluster" is first recorded 1869. Related: Rattled; rattling.
c. 1500, "rapid succession of short, sharp sounds," from rattle (v.). As a child's toy, recorded from 1510s. As a sound made in the throat (especially of one near death) from 1752.
双语例句
1. The baby, dressed in a flowery jumpsuit, waved her rattle.
宝宝穿着印花的连身衣，挥动着她手中的拨浪鼓。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His rhetoric sounds like the death rattle of a fading leadership.
他的慷慨陈词听起来像是一个衰落的领导层垂死的挣扎。
来自柯林斯例句
3. She slams the kitchen door so hard I hear dishes rattle.
她把厨房门重重地关上，我甚至听到了碟子的震颤声。
来自柯林斯例句
4. If he's trying to rattle your cage, it's working.
