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rustle
7 dictionary results for: rustle
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
rus·tle       [ruhs-uhl] Pronunciation Key verb, -tled, -tling, noun
–verb (used without object)
1.to make a succession of slight, soft sounds, as of parts rubbing gently one on another, as leaves, silks, or papers.
2.to cause such sounds by moving or stirring something.
3.to move, proceed, or work energetically: Rustle around and see what you can find.
–verb (used with object)
4.to move or stir so as to cause a rustling sound: The wind rustled the leaves.
5.to move, bring, or get by energetic action: I'll go rustle some supper.
6.to steal (livestock, esp. cattle).
–noun
7.the sound made by anything that rustles: the rustle of leaves.
8.rustle up, Informal. to find, gather, or assemble by effort or search: to rustle up some wood for a fire.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME rustlen (v.); cf. Fris russelje, D ridselen; of imit. orig.]

rus·tling·ly, adverb
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rus·tle       (rŭs'əl)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   rus·tled, rus·tling, rus·tles

v.   intr.
  1. To move with soft fluttering or crackling sounds.
  2. To move or act energetically or with speed.
  3. To forage food.
  4. To steal livestock, especially cattle.

v.   tr.
  1. To cause to rustle.
  2. To obtain by rustling: rustled up some food in the kitchen.
  3. To steal (livestock, especially cattle).


[Middle English rustlen, perhaps of imitative origin.]

rus'tler n., rus'tling·ly adv.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rustle 
"to emit soft, rapid sounds," 1387 (implied in rustling), of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative (cf. M.L.G. ruschen, M.Du. ruusscen, Ger. rauschen "to rustle"). The noun is attested from 1759. Meaning "steal" (especially cattle) first attested 1882, probably from earlier Amer.Eng. slang sense of "move about vigorously" (1872), perhaps a separate word, compounded from rush and hustle.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
rustle

noun
1. a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind 

verb
1. make a dry crackling sound; "rustling silk"; "the dry leaves were rustling in the breeze" 
2. take illegally; "rustle cattle" 
3. forage food 

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rustle

Rus"tle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rustled; p. pr. & vb. n. Rustling.] [AS. hristlan to rustle; or cf. Sw. rusta to stir, make a riot, or E. rush, v.]

1. To make a quick succession of small sounds, like the rubbing or moving of silk cloth or dry leaves.

He is coming; I hear his straw rustle. --Shak.

Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk. --Shak.

2. To stir about energetically; to strive to succeed; to bustle about. [Slang, Western U.S.]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rustle

Rus"tle\, v. t. To cause to rustle; as, the wind rustles the leaves.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Rustle

Rus"tle\, n. A quick succession or confusion of small sounds, like those made by shaking leaves or straw, by rubbing silk, or the like; a rustling.

When the noise of a torrent, the rustle of a wood, the song of birds, or the play of lambs, had power to fill the attention, and suspend all perception of the course of time. --Idler.

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