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rabble

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rabble¹

  • /ˈɹæbəl/

Rhymes with -æbəl

Where it comes from

First attested since 1300s, from Middle English rablen (“to ramble; rave; speak in a confused manner”), cognate with Middle Dutch rabbelen (“to talk; chatter; trifle”), Low German rabbeln, robbeln (“to chatter; prattle”).

verb rabbles · rabbling · rabbled · ravel

  1. intransitive To speak in a confused manner; talk incoherently; utter nonsense
  2. transitive To speak confusedly or incoherently; gabble or chatter out

rabble²

  • /ˈɹæbəl/

Rhymes with -æbəl

Where it comes from

From Middle English rabel, probably from the verb (see above).

noun rabbles

  1. obsolete A bewildered or meaningless string of words.
  2. obsolete A pack of animals; or any confused collection of things.
  3. A mob; a disorderly crowd.
  4. derogatory The mass of common people; the lowest class of populace. Such practices as Theſe, too groſs to lye / Long unobſerv'd by each diſcerning Eye, / The more judicious Iſraelites Unſpell'd, / Though ſtill the Charm the giddy Rabble held, […]

rabble³

  • /ˈɹæbəl/

Rhymes with -æbəl

Where it comes from

From Old French roable (modern French râble), from Latin rutabulum (“a poker”).

noun rabbles

  1. An iron bar used in puddling.

verb rabbles · rabbling · rabbled

  1. transitive To stir with a rabble.

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