rabble

1
[ rab-uh l ]
/ ˈræb əl /

noun

a disorderly crowd; mob.
the rabble, the lower classes; the common people: The nobility held the rabble in complete contempt.

verb (used with object), rab·bled, rab·bling.

to beset as a rabble does; mob.

Origin of rabble

1
1350–1400; Middle English rabel (noun), of uncertain origin

Definition for rabble (2 of 2)

rabble 2
[ rab-uh l ]
/ ˈræb əl /
Metallurgy

noun

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.

to stir (a charge) in a roasting furnace.

Origin of rabble

2
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

OTHER WORDS FROM rabble

rab·bler, noun

Example sentences from the Web for rabble

British Dictionary definitions for rabble (1 of 2)

rabble 1
/ (ˈræbəl) /

noun

a disorderly crowd; mob
the rabble derogatory the common people

Word Origin for rabble

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

British Dictionary definitions for rabble (2 of 2)

rabble 2
/ (ˈræbəl) /

noun

Also called: rabbler an iron tool or mechanical device for stirring, mixing, or skimming a molten charge in a roasting furnace

verb

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

Word Origin for rabble

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