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Rum′ble.

1. A rotating cylinder or box in which articles are placed to be ground, cleaned, or polished by mutual attrition. Grinding or polishing material or merely sawdust or bran may be added, according to the need of the subject. Chains are cleaned of rust, castings of sand and scale. Small articles are polished by means of the rumble.

The machine is extensively used in various trades, sometimes being called a tumbling-box or a shaking-machine. It is used, —

For polishing needles, pins, and steel-pens with sawdust and bran.

For polishing bone buttons with sand.

For polishing lead-shot with graphite.

For scouring small castings to remove the sand coat.

For brightening tacks in water before tinning.

For cleaning the rust off cannon-balls.

For drying coin blanks, etc., in sawdust.

For dissolving gums in spirits of wine for making lacquers and varnishes.


2. (Vehicle.) An elevated seat behind the body of a carriage.

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