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crepitare

to crackle, to creak

verb kreh-pee-TAH-reh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Origin: Latin crepitare (to creak, to rattle), frequentative of crepare

Also means

to rattle

Usage Note

Crepitare describes repeated sharp dry sounds — a fire crackling (il fuoco crepita), dried leaves rustling underfoot, a machine rattling. It is intransitive and takes avere as auxiliary. The related noun is crepitio ('crackling, rattling sound'). Do not confuse with crepare ('to crack' or colloquially 'to die').

Examples

"Le fiamme crepitavano nel camino acceso."

Natural Translation

The flames crackled in the lit fireplace.

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