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Definition of hayrattle
hayrattle
/ˈheɪˌræt.əl/
hay · rat · tle
Plural:hayrattles
hayrattle Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A semi-parasitic herbaceous plant (Rhinanthus minor) of the broomrape family, native to Europe, northern Asia, and North America, typically found in meadows and characterized by yellow flowers and dry seed pods that rattle when mature.
Example
"The conservationists sowed hayrattle in the pasture to suppress the aggressive grasses and encourage a wider diversity of wildflowers."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hayrattleWord Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'hay' and 'rattle', so named because the dry, mature seed pods of the plant make a distinct rattling sound when shaken by the wind or walked through in late summer meadows.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hayrattle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hayrattle