[General] rattling = clanking

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

At this minute the father of the family walked in, rattling his seals like a true British merchant.

rattling = clanking

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[Jack8rkin]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

At this minute the father of the family walked in, rattling his seals like a true British merchant.

rattling = clanking

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

*** Not a teacher***
Is this translation from Russian? Sorry, I cannot get the sence of "seals" in this context.

 

[vil]

Hi Jack8rkin,

In my humble opinion the most probable meaning of the term in question is the classical one.

seal = a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents

I assume that the merchants in the mentioned old times was carrying their seals hooked on their belts. So they were something like mobile offices.

Regards,

V.

 

[konungursvia]

Rattling does equal clanking, though rattling means a higher pitch and a higher frequency. For example, change in your pocket might rattle, but two swords in a swordfight might clank very second or two.

I remember as a kid in Germany buying 90 minute blank cassettes that boasted of "kristallklarischeklange"!!! Thanks for reminding me of that.