Rattletrap — Rat tle*trap ( tr[a^]p ), n. Any machine or vehicle that does not run smoothly. [Colloq.] A. Trollope. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
rattletrap — 1766, originally a noun, nicknacks, trifles, odds and ends, from RATTLE (Cf. rattle) (adj.) + trap, perhaps in the sense in TRAPS (Cf. traps) (n.2). The adjectival sense of rickety is recorded from 1834 … Etymology dictionary
rattletrap — ► NOUN informal ▪ an old or rickety vehicle … English terms dictionary
rattletrap — [rat′ l trap΄] n. anything worn out, rickety, or rattling; esp., a dilapidated old automobile … English World dictionary
rattletrap — 1. adjective Mechanically unreliable or in disrepair. All services for the biggest embassy in the world will operate independently from the rattletrap utilities of the Iraqi capital. (speaking of the new US Embassy in Baghdad) 2. noun A… … Wiktionary
rattletrap — I n Old, broken down car. Rudy will never make it to the beach in that old rattletrap of his. 1820s II n Old, broken down car. Rudy will never make it to the beach in that old rattletrap of his. 1820s … Historical dictionary of American slang
rattletrap — noun Date: 1822 something rattly or rickety; especially an old car • rattletrap adjective … New Collegiate Dictionary
rattletrap — rat|tle|trap [ˈrætlˌtræp] adj [only before noun] AmE a rattletrap vehicle is old and in bad condition … Dictionary of contemporary English
rattletrap — /rat l trap /, n. a shaky, rattling object, as a rickety vehicle. [1760 70; RATTLE1 + TRAP1] * * * … Universalium
Rattletrap — 1. shaky, rattling object; 2. run down vehicle that makes rattling noises when in locomotion … Dictionary of Australian slang