Definition of rattle

The word "rattle" originated in Old English, around the 10th century, and has roots in the Proto-Germanic language. The Old English word for rattle was "rætSl," which was composed of two elements: "raet," meaning "to move rapidly back and forth," and "Sl," which was a nasalized form of the word for "to scatter." The Old English word "rætSl" described both the sound produced by objects being shaken or rattled, as well as the objects themselves. This dual meaning was also present in the Old Norse word "hrylir," which was used to describe both rattles and the sound they made. Over time, the spelling of the word "rattle" evolved, reflecting the changes in the English language. The medieval misunderstanding of the Latin letter "eth," which at the time looked like a "ts," caused the suffix "-le" to be added, transforming the Old English "rætSl" into "rættesl." In the 14th century, the "t" in "rættesl" was dropped, resulting in the modern spelling "rattesl." The final "es" was then dropped in the 16th century, and "rattles" was born. Today, the word "rattle" is used to describe a variety of objects that make a rattling noise, from musical instruments to toys to tools. It also refers to the sound itself, such as in phrases like "the rattle of chains" or "the rattle of a train passing by." The word's rich history and dual meaning continue to be reflected in its modern usage.