Rab"ble (răb"b'l), n. [Etymol.
uncertain.] (Iron Manuf.) An iron bar, with the end bent,
used in stirring or skimming molten iron in the process of
puddling.
Rab"ble, v. i. [Akin to D.
rabbelen, Prov. G. rabbeln, to prattle, to chatter: cf.
L. rabula a brawling advocate, a pettifogger, fr. rabere
to rave. Cf. Rage.] To speak in a confused manner.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Rab"ble, n. [Probably named from the
noise made by it (see Rabble, v. i.); cf. D.
rapalje rabble, OF. & Prov. F. rapaille.]
1. A tumultuous crowd of vulgar, noisy people; a
mob; a confused, disorderly throng.
I saw, I say, come out of London, even unto the
presence of the prince, a great rabble of mean and light
persons.
Ascham.
Jupiter, Mercury, Bacchus, Venus, Mars, and the whole
rabble of licentious deities.
Bp.
Warburton.
2. A confused, incoherent discourse; a medley
of voices; a chatter.
The rabble, the lowest class of people,
without reference to an assembly; the dregs of the people.
"The rabble call him ‘lord.'" Shak.
Rab"ble, a. Of or pertaining to a
rabble; like, or suited to, a rabble; disorderly; vulgar. [R.]
Dryden.
Rab"ble, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Rabbled (-b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.
Rabbling (-blĭng).] 1. To insult,
or assault, by a mob; to mob; as, to rabble a curate.
Macaulay.
The bishops' carriages were stopped and the prelates
themselves rabbled on their way to the house.
J. R. Green.
2. To utter glibly and incoherently; to mouth
without intelligence. [Obs. or Scot.] Foxe.
3. To rumple; to crumple. [Scot.]
Rab"ble, v. t. To stir or skim with
a rabble, as molten iron.