poltern

German

Etymology

Onomatopoeic, from Middle High German buldern, from Middle Low German bolderen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɔltɐn/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: pol‧tern

Verb

1. to rumble
   • 1910, Frances Külpe, Rote Tage, S. Schottländers Schlesische Verlagsanstalt, page 184:

     Hastige Schritte poltern die Treppe empor.

     Hasty footsteps rumble up the staircase.

   • 1911, Hermann Löns, Der zweckmäßige Meyer, Sponholtz, page 64:

     […] die Straßenbahn polterte wie immer; […]

     the streetcar rumbled as always

2. (figuratively) to rant (To speak or shout at length in an uncontrollable anger.)

Usage notes

The auxiliary sein is used if the verb describes a rumbling movement into a direction, otherwise the auxiliary haben is used.

Related terms

• Gepolter
• holterdiepolter
• holterdipolter
• Polterabend
• Poltergeist
• Polterplatz

 

Further reading

• “poltern” in Duden online