rabble

¹

[ rab-uhl ]

noun

1. a disorderly crowd; mob.
2. the rabble, the lower classes; the common people:

   The nobility held the rabble in complete contempt.

verb (used with object)

, rab·bled, rab·bling.

1. to beset as a rabble does; mob.

rabble

²

[ rab-uhl ]

noun

1. a tool or mechanically operated device used for stirring or mixing a charge in a roasting furnace.

verb (used with object)

, rab·bled, rab·bling.

1. to stir (a charge) in a roasting furnace.

rabble

¹

/ ˈræbəl /

noun

1. Also calledrabbler an iron tool or mechanical device for stirring, mixing, or skimming a molten charge in a roasting furnace

verb

1. tr to stir, mix, or skim (the molten charge) in a roasting furnace

rabble

²

/ ˈræbəl /

noun

1. a disorderly crowd; mob
2. the rabble derogatory.
   the rabble the common people

Other Words From

• rabbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabble¹

1350–1400; Middle English rabel (noun), of uncertain origin

Origin of rabble²

1655–65; < French râble fire-shovel, tool, Middle French raable < Latin rutābulum implement for shifting hot coals, equivalent to *rutā ( re ) presumed frequentative of ruere to churn up, disturb + -bulum suffix of instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of rabble¹

C17: from French râble , from Latin rutābulum rake for a furnace, from ruere to rake, dig up

Origin of rabble²

C14 (in the sense: a pack of animals): of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Middle Dutch rabbelen to chatter, rattle

Example Sentences

All the excitement of her rabble rousing had been suitably extinguished, along with our enthusiasm for this show.

From The Daily Beast

This is because, to the rabble-rousers Reed can manage to convene these days, Priebus is Da Man.

From The Daily Beast

The trial brought accusations of lewd rabble-rousing and rampant sexism at corporate events—bad publicity to say the least.

From The Daily Beast

He was quickly apprehended by the cops, who lined the street and kept rabble rousers on the sidewalks.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier in the book, Murray waxed indignant about the "condescension toward the rabble" he detected in the new upper class.

From The Daily Beast

A touch of the spurs sent Nejdi with a mighty bound into the midst of the rabble who held the road.

From Project Gutenberg

Soult's corps arrived without cannon or baggage, a mere armed rabble, and Ney's men jeered at the disorganised battalions.

From Project Gutenberg

Maltby and Butler chased John Burke and his rabble up and down the country, but could never come up with them.

From Project Gutenberg

But a woful rude rabble there was, and such noises, made my head ake all this evening.

From Project Gutenberg

This process effected a total change of deportment in the small rabble that stood looking on.

From Project Gutenberg