rustle

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈɹʌsəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #18375

Meanings

1

verb
To make a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.

The leaves rustled in the autumn wind.
2

noun
A soft, dry crackling sound.

She heard the rustle of paper as he opened the gift.
3

verb
To steal farm animals, especially cattle.

Thieves rustled dozens of cattle from the ranch overnight.
4

verb
To get or prepare something quickly, especially food.

I'll rustle up some sandwiches before we leave.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · a soft, dry crackling sound. whispering

3 verb · to steal farm animals,... lift

4 verb · to get or prepare something... rustle up

Word family

Forms rustledrustlesrustling

Derived forms arustlerustlerrustlinglyrustlyunrustling

Related forms abigeat

Etymology

From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).

rustelen Middle English hrūxlian Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# rustle

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɹʌsəl/
**Frequency rank:** 18375

## Meanings
1. To make a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving.
2. A soft, dry crackling sound.
3. To steal farm animals, especially cattle.
4. To get or prepare something quickly, especially food.

## Examples
- The leaves rustled in the autumn wind.
- She heard the rustle of paper as he opened the gift.
- Thieves rustled dozens of cattle from the ranch overnight.
- I'll rustle up some sandwiches before we leave.

## Derived Forms
- arustle
- rustler
- rustlingly
- rustly
- unrustling

## Related Forms
- abigeat

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: rustelen
- Root: hrūxlian

## Etymology
From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).

## AI Etymology
Rustle is from Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”). In present-day use, it can mean to make a soft, dry crackling sound, like leaves or paper moving, or a soft, dry crackling sound. Derived formations include arustle, rustler, rustlingly, rustly, and unrustling.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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