rustle
Definitions
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WordNet 3.6
- v rustle make a dry crackling sound "rustling silk","the dry leaves were rustling in the breeze"
- v rustle forage food
- v rustle take illegally "rustle cattle"
- n rustle a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the wind
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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- n Rustle 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."
- v. t Rustle To cause to rustle; as, the wind rustles the leaves.
- Rustle 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 .""Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk."
- Rustle To steal; -- used of livestock and esp. of cattle.
- Rustle To stir about energetically; to strive to succeed; to bustle about.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
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- rustle To make a wavering, murmuring sound when set in motion and rubbed one part upon another or against something else; give out a slightly sibilant sound when shaken: as, a rustling silk; rustling foliage; rustling wings.
- rustle To move about or along with a rustling sound.
- rustle To stir about; bestir one's self; struggle or strive, especially against obstacles or difficulties; work vigorously or energetically; “hustle.”
- rustle To cause to rustle.
- rustle To shake with a murmuring, rustling sound.
- rustle To make, do, secure, obtain, etc., in a lively, energetic manner.
- n rustle The noise made by one who or that which rustles; a rustling.
- n rustle A movement accompanied by a rustling sound.
- rustle To steal cattle, as a “rustler”; hence to steal, in general. See rustler, 3.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
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- v.i Rustle rus′l to make a soft, whispering sound, as silk, straw, &c.:
- n Rustle a quick succession of small sounds, as that of dry leaves: a rustling, a movement with rustling sound
- v.i Rustle rus′l (U.S.) to stir about
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Quotations
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“Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. A rustling in the leaves drives him away.” -
“To him who is in fear everything rustles.” -
“The hermit doesn't sleep at night, in love with the blue of the vacant moon. The cool of the breeze that rustles the trees rustles him too.”
Etymology
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
AS. hristlan, to rustle; or cf. Sw. rusta, to stir, make a riot, or E. rush, v
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Skeat makes it a freq. of Sw. rusta, to stir, a variant of Old Sw. ruska, to shake. Cf. Rush; and cf. Ger. rauschen, ruschen, to rustle.
Usage
In literature:
In short he dare not move, for the slightest rustle would be sure to take their attention.
"In the King's Name" by George Manville Fenn
I had not been seated live minutes when I heard a rustling among the dead leaves in front of me.
"The Hunters' Feast" by Mayne Reid
Roused by the crash of the falling logs and the rustle of Katherine's garments as she sprang up, Richard Calmady opened his eyes.
"The History of Sir Richard Calmady" by Lucas Malet
A dress rustled and he turned, confronting Nan.
"The Root of Evil" by Thomas Dixon
The rustle of the teacher's skirts was lost in the distance.
"A Little Miss Nobody" by Amy Bell Marlowe
Hamp felt the walls shake and heard the rustling glide.
"The Camp in the Snow" by William Murray Graydon
There is a soft rustle in the hall.
"Floyd Grandon's Honor" by Amanda Minnie Douglas
The rustling of shrubs and trees was the only mournful sound which varied the roar of the storm.
"Jack O' Judgment" by Edgar Wallace
The underbrush rustled and Flor heard the sound of disturbed leaves and heavy footfalls.
"Millennium" by Everett B. Cole
Master Meadow Mouse had fallen into a doze when a sharp rustle waked him.
"The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse" by Arthur Scott Bailey
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In poetry:
But the trees are bending together,
And whispering each to each,
With a sorrowful rustle of branches
And a sigh that is almost speech.
And whispering each to each,
With a sorrowful rustle of branches
And a sigh that is almost speech.
"Calm Before Storm" by Cicely Fox Smith
The spring has passed, the summer fled,
And yet they linger still,
Though autumn’s rustling leaves have spread
The flank of Cintra’s hill.
And yet they linger still,
Though autumn’s rustling leaves have spread
The flank of Cintra’s hill.
"Agnes" by Oliver Wendell Holmes
When th' sky stretches aght blue an breet,
An th' heather's i' blossom all raand,
Makkin th' mornin's cooi! breezes smell sweet,
As they rustle along ovver th' graand.
An th' heather's i' blossom all raand,
Makkin th' mornin's cooi! breezes smell sweet,
As they rustle along ovver th' graand.
"Aw'm Havin' A Smook Bi Misel'," by John Hartley
Yes, I could rustle for twenty men . . .
So, God be praised, you can use me, then? . . .
Oh, there's only a few years left for me,
And I want to die, and be buried at — sea!
So, God be praised, you can use me, then? . . .
Oh, there's only a few years left for me,
And I want to die, and be buried at — sea!
"The Endless Lure" by Harry Kemp
And bowing down, methought I heard his wing
Rustle, to seek the balmy fields above,
When, like the gushing of a second spring,
Came downward from his lips the watchword—"Love."
Rustle, to seek the balmy fields above,
When, like the gushing of a second spring,
Came downward from his lips the watchword—"Love."
"The Two Watchwords" by Alexander Anderson
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
"The Fruit-Gift" by John Greenleaf Whittier
In news:
Pilgrim sentenced in Moffat County cattle rustling case.
In the old west, rustling was considered a serious offense and frequently resulted in lynching.
Cattle rustling by Indians was a common hazard for many settlers also.
Cattle rustling still a problem.
Even with laws that put cattle thieves in jail, cattle rustling remains a problem for ranchers.
Former police officer accused of rustling , won't be tried for false report after shooting himself.
Man gets 99 years for cattle rustling .
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)--Amid warnings that cattle rustling is on the rise in Texas, the state Senate passed a measure April 16 that would stiffen penalties for stealing farm animals.
"There has been an increase in cattle rustling over the last year, probably due to the high price of cattle," said Epperly.
The Bedford County man who pleaded guilty of rustling cattle that were recovered at a Mooresville-area farm was handed an effective sentence of 30 years on Monday.
There's a reward for cattle rustling in Anderson .
BOP farmers warned over sheep rustling.
Cattle rustling suspect arrested on South Padre Island.
There's a reward for cattle rustling in Anderson.
Rustle Hille Winery, 8595 US 51, Cobden, IL.
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