Dictionary
rate
Pronunciation: (rāt), [key]
—n., v., rat•ed, rat•ing.
—
n.
1. the amount of a charge or payment with reference to some basis of calculation:
a high rate of interest on loans.
2. a certain quantity or amount of one thing considered in relation to a unit of another thing and used as a standard or measure:
at the rate of 60 miles an hour.
3. a fixed charge per unit of quantity:
a rate of 10 cents a pound.
4. price; cost:
to cut rates on all home furnishings.
5. degree of speed, progress, etc.:
to work at a rapid rate.
6. degree or comparative extent of action or procedure:
the rate of increase in work output.
7. relative condition or quality; grade, class, or sort.
8. assigned position in any of a series of graded classes; rating.
9. Insurance.the premium charge per unit of insurance.
10. a charge by a common carrier for transportation, sometimes including certain services involved in rendering such transportation.
11. a wage paid on a specified time basis:
a salary figured on an hourly rate.
12. a charge or price established in accordance with a scale or standard:
hotel rates based on length of stay.
13. Horol.the relative adherence of a timepiece to perfect timekeeping, measured in terms of the amount of time gained or lost within a certain period.
14. Usually,
rates. Brit.
a. a tax on property for some local purpose.
b. any tax assessed and paid to a local government, as any city tax or district tax.
15. at any rate,
a. in any event; in any case.
b. at least:
It was a mediocre film, but at any rate there was one outstanding individual performance.
—
v.t.
1. to estimate the value or worth of; appraise:
to rate a student's class performance.
2. to esteem, consider, or account:
He was rated one of the best writers around.
3. to fix at a certain rate, as of charge or payment.
4. to value for purposes of taxation or the like.
5. to make subject to the payment of a certain rate or tax.
6. to place in a certain rank, class, etc., as a ship or a sailor; give a specific rating to.
7. to be considered or treated as worthy of; merit:
an event that doesn't even rate a mention in most histories of the period.
8. to arrange for the conveyance of (goods) at a certain rate.
—
v.i.
1. to have value, standing, etc.:
a performance that didn't rate very high in the competition.
2. to have position in a certain class.
3. to rank very high in estimation:
The new teacher really rates with our class. rate
Pronunciation: (rāt), [key]—
v.t., v.i., rat•ed, rat•ing.
to chide vehemently; scold.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
