~ 1
■ noun
1》 a measure, quantity, or frequency: the island has a very low crime ~.
2》 the speed with which something moves or happens.
3》 a fixed price paid or charged for something.
4》 the amount of a charge or payment expressed as a percentage of another amount, or as a basis of calculation.
5》 ( ~s ) (in the UK) a tax on commercial land and buildings paid to a local authority (formerly levied also on private property).
■ verb
1》 assign a standard or value to (something) according to a particular scale.
2》 assign a standard, optimal, or limiting rating to (a piece of equipment).
3》 consider to be of a certain quality or standard.
↘ informal have a high opinion of.
↘be worthy of; merit.
4》 (in the UK) assess the value of (a property) for the purpose of levying ~s.
Phrases
at any ~ whatever happens or may have happened.
at this (or that ) ~ if things continue in this or that way.
Origin
ME: from OFr., from med. L. rata (from L. pro rata parte (or portione ) 'according to the proportional share'), from ratus 'reckoned', past participle of reri .
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~ 2
■ verb archaic scold angrily.
Origin
ME: of unknown origin.
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~ 3
■ verb variant spelling of ret .