Brattle – Definition & Meaning

If you’ve ever come across the word “brattle”, you might have wondered what it meant. Is it a noun or a verb? Is it a regional term or a word used worldwide? In this article, we’ll explore the definition and meaning of “brattle”, its origin, synonyms and antonyms, and examples of how it can be used in a sentence.

Definitions

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “brattle” is defined as a verb meaning “to make a rattling noise, especially with the feet.” It can also be used as a noun to describe the sound itself.

Origin

The word “brattle” is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word “bratla”, which means “to clatter”. It was first recorded in English in the 15th century.

Meaning in different dictionaries

In addition to the Oxford English Dictionary, other dictionaries define “brattle” in similar ways. For example, Merriam-Webster defines it as “to make a rattling sound, especially by running rapidly over a hard surface”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a loud, continuous noise made by something shaking or hitting against something else.”

Associations

“Brattle” is often associated with the sound of horses galloping or the clattering of pots and pans. It can also be used to describe the sound of someone running down a flight of stairs or a group of people marching in unison.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for “brattle” include: clatter, rattle, clack, thud, thump, and bang.

Antonyms

Antonyms for “brattle” might include: silence, stillness, quiet, calm, and peace.

The same root words

“Brattle” shares a root with the words “brattling” and “brattleboro”. “Brattling” is a Scottish term that means “to make a rattling sound”. “Brattleboro” is the name of a town in Vermont, USA, which was named after the Scottish term.

Example Sentences

1. The sound of the horses’ hooves brattling on the cobblestone street echoed through the city.
2. The pots and pans in the kitchen brattled as the chef prepared dinner.
3. I could hear the brattling of leaves underfoot as I walked through the forest.
4. The soldiers marched in unison, their boots brattling on the pavement.
5. The sound of the train brattling down the tracks filled the station.