noun
- the amount, degree, etc. of anything in relation to units of something else: the rate of pay per month, rate of speed per hour
- a fixed ratio; proportion
- a price or value; specif., the cost per unit of some commodity, service, etc.: insurance rate
- speed of movement or action: to read at a moderate rate
- the amount of time gained or lost by a timepiece within a specified period
- Now Rare a class or rank: of the first rate
- Brit. a local property tax: usually used in pl.
- Obsolete amount; quantity
- U.S. Navy the grade of a petty officer within a rating: the sailor's rate is Quartermaster first class
Origin:
OFr < L rata (pars), reckoned (part), fem. of ratus, pp. of reri, to reckon < IE *rē-, var. of base *ar-, to fit, join > art, order
transitive verb rated, rating
- to estimate the value, worth, strength, capacity, etc. of; appraise
- to put into a particular class or rank
- U.S. Navy to assign a rate to
- to consider; esteem: they are rated among the best
- to fix or determine the rates for
- Informal to deserve: to rate an increase