Rattle

v. (ling) 1 a give out a rapid succession of short sharp hard sounds. b cause to do this. c cause such sounds by shaking something. 2 (often foil. by along) a move with a rattling noise. b move or travel briskly. 3 a (usu. foll. by oft) say or recite rapidly. b (usu. foll. by on) talk in a lively thoughtless way. 4 colloq. disconcert, alarm. n. 1 rattling sound. 2 device or plaything made to rattle. 12 rattly adj. [probably Low German or Dutch]