jangle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make or cause a harsh, discordant metallic ringing sound

   The keys jangled in his pocket as he hurried down the stairs.

2. 2
   noun

   a harsh mixture of metallic ringing sounds

   The jangle of chains echoed through the empty warehouse.

3. 3
   verb

   to make someone feel tense, irritated, or nervous

   The telephone's sudden shriek jangled her nerves.

From Middle English janglen, through Old French jangler ('to chatter, gossip, or quarrel noisily'), probably of imitative origin. The early sense concerned noisy speech and dispute; the familiar metallic-sound sense developed later from the same idea of harsh, confused noise.

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