‖ râle Path.
(rɑl)
Also rale.
[F. râle, † rasle (Cotgr. 1611), vbl. n. from râler, † raller (16th c.), of uncertain etym.; connexion with LG. and Du. ratelen, Eng. rattle is doubtful.]
An abnormal sound additional to that of respiration, heard on auscultation of the lungs when these are not in a perfectly healthy condition.
| 1828 Glasgow Med. Jrnl. I. 72 The respiratory murmur is often rendered fainter, and it is accompanied and obscured by certain râles, or unnatural sounds. 1829 Good's Study Med. (ed. 3) I. 537 ‘For want’ says he [Laennec] ‘of a better or more generic term, I use the word râle, rattle, or rhoncus, to express all the sounds, besides those of health, which the act of respiration occasions’. 1853 Markham tr. Skoda's Auscult. 130 The moist and dry cavernous râles, as well as the blowing râle of the bronchial tubes. 1894 Doyle Round Red Lamp 7 The difference between a mitral murmur and a bronchitic rale. 1963 Lancet 12 Jan. 76/1 There were a few dry rales at the right lung base. 1977 Ibid. 17 Dec. 1265/2 At this stage there are usually rales in the chest but no definite signs of lung consolidation. |