 2 definitions found
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
rattling
adjective
1: extraordinarily good; used especially as intensifiers; "a
fantastic trip to the Orient"; "the film was
fantastic!"; "a howling success"; "a marvelous
collection of rare books"; "had a rattling
conversation about politics"; "a tremendous
achievement" [syn: {fantastic}, {howling(a)}, {marvelous},
{marvellous}, {rattling(a)}, {terrific}, {tremendous},
{wonderful}, {wondrous}]
2: quick and energetic; "a brisk walk in the park"; "a lively
gait"; "a merry chase"; "traveling at a rattling rate"; "a
snappy pace"; "a spanking breeze" [syn: {brisk}, {lively},
{merry}, {snappy}, {spanking}, {zippy}]
noun: a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with
a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders);
"the death rattle" [syn: {rattle}, {rale}]
adverb: used as intensifiers; 'real' is sometimes used informally
for 'really'; 'rattling' is informal; "she was very
gifted"; "he played very well"; "a really enjoyable
evening"; "I'm real sorry about it"; "a rattling good
yarn" [syn: {very}, {really}, {real}]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rattle \Rat"tle\ (r[a^]t"t'l), verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Rattled}
(-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Rattling} (-tl[i^]ng).] [Akin to D.
ratelen, G. rasseln, AS. hr[ae]tele a rattle, in
hr[ae]telwyrt rattlewort; cf. Gr. kradai'nein to swing, wave.
Cf. {Rail} a bird.]
1. To make a quick succession of sharp, inharmonious noises,
as by the collision of hard and not very sonorous bodies
shaken together; to clatter.
And the rude hail in rattling tempest forms.
--Addison.
'T was but the wind,
Or the car rattling o'er the stony street. --Byron.
2. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering; as,
we rattled along for a couple of miles. [Colloq.]
3. To make a clatter with the voice; to talk rapidly and
idly; to clatter; -- with on or away; as, she rattled on
for an hour. [Colloq.]
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