rustle
pronunciation
How to pronounce rustle in British English:
UK [ˈrʌsl]
How to pronounce rustle in American English:
US [ˈrʌsəl]
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- Noun:
- the light noise like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
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- Verb:
- make a dry crackling sound
- take illegally
Word Origin
- rustle (v.)
- "to emit soft, rapid sounds," late 14c. (implied in rustling), of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative (compare Middle Low German ruschen, Middle Dutch ruusscen, German rauschen "to rustle"). Related: Rustled; rustling. Meaning "steal" (especially cattle) first attested 1882, probably from earlier American English slang sense of "move about vigorously" (1844), perhaps a separate word, compounded from rush and hustle.
- rustle (n.)
- 1759, from rustle (v.).
Example
- 1. Catch the rustle of ripped-up wills .
- 2. In the surrounding woods , leaves rustle with a suggestion of coming night and winter 's arrival .
- 3. Young men used to try to rustle cattle with spears .
- 4. Then , on the far side of a clearing , the trees rustle and the first giant grey head breaks above the bushes .
- 5. Printed on silk , this escape map could be folded compactly for concealment ( or worn smartly as a scarf ) and wouldn 't rustle when opened and closed .