rattler
Warning before striking
A rattler is a rattlesnake—the venomous American snake with a segmented tail that produces a warning buzz when vibrated.
The term appears in informal speech and regional dialects: Watch out for rattlers on the trail.
Less commonly, rattler refers to anything that rattles, such as a noisy old train or vehicle.
Reptile with lozenge-shaped scales
- sidewinderSnake that moves diagonally
- pit viperHeat-sensing venomous snake
- western diamondbackNorth American pit viper
- canebrakeDense growth of bamboo-like grasses
serpent · reptile · venom · fangs · scales · coil · slither · hiss
Permanent track for trains
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
- old westPrevious western orientation
- steam engineThermal vapor motor
- freightGoods being transported
passenger · vintage · historical · tracks · caboose · conductor · depot · junction
Trembling or blended treat
- vibrateShake with small movements
- buzzContinuous low drone
- hissSharp sibilant sound
- tailRear animal appendage
keratin · segments · sound · alarm · caution · alert · signal · threat
diamondback
Reptile with lozenge-shaped scales
- sidewinderSnake that moves diagonally
- pit viperHeat-sensing venomous snake
- western diamondbackNorth American pit viper
canebrake · serpent · reptile · venom · fangs · scales · coil · slither · hiss · strike
railroad
Permanent track for trains
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
- old westPrevious western orientation
- steam engineThermal vapor motor
freight · passenger · vintage · historical · tracks · caboose · conductor · depot · junction · express
shake
Trembling or blended treat
tail · keratin · segments · sound · alarm · caution · alert · signal · threat · deterrent
desert
To leave behind completely
grassland · chaparral · sagebrush · mesquite · prairie · canyon · outcrop · burrow · den · basking
jalopy
Dilapidated old vehicle
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, crocodile, alligator
- desert lifecamel, cactus, scorpion, sidewinder, fennec fox
- cantcant, flash, patter, lingo, cove
- Depression EraGreat Depression, Hooverville, breadline, dust storms, soup kitchen
rattlerconstrictor
Snake killing by compression
boa constrictor · python · anaconda · boa · king snake
rattlergarter snake
Small harmless North American serpent
garden snake · grass snake · corn snake · milk snake · king snake
rattlerambush predator
Hunter that strikes from concealment
copperhead · cottonmouth · black mamba · mamba · cobra
- saber rattlingThreatening military action ostentatiously
- baby rattleNoisy toy for newborns
- rattle trapDecrepit, noisy vehicle
- rattle offRecite rapidly, effortlessly
- death rattleSound of expiring lungs
- rattles aroundMoves loosely within
rattle, rattled, rattling, rattles, rattlesnake, rattlers, unrattled