crepitate
verb
intransitive verb
Did you know?
Crepitate comes from the Latin word crepitare, meaning "to crackle." It has been used with this meaning since the late 1820s, but it had a previous life: about 200 years prior it was used to mean "to break wind." That meaning is now obsolete, and the word has no embarrassing remnants. In addition to its general use as a synonym of crackle, crepitate also has a specific medical meaning-"to produce or experience crepitation." Crepitation here refers to a grating or crackling sound or sensation, such as that produced by the fractured ends of a bone moving against each other.
Word History
Latin crepitatus, past participle of crepitare to crackle, frequentative of crepare to rattle, crack
circa 1828, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
crepitate
intransitive verb
crepitates
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- crackles
- squeaks
- whispers
- sighs
- crinkles
- gurgles
- whooshes
- swooshes
- murmurs
- rustles
- creaks
- babbles
- cut out to do
- cut plug
- cut point
- cut proud
- cut round
- cut short
- cut some slack
- cut someone dead
- cut someone some slack
- cut someone to the quick
- cut square
- cut stone
- cut string
- cut sugar
- cut terrace
- cut the apron strings
- cut the crap
- cut the Gordian knot
- cut the mustard
- in one breath
- in one ear and out the other
- in one fell swoop
- in one go
- in one piece
- in one sense