1. n.1 the act or an instance of placing in a rank or class or assigning a value to.
2 the estimated standing of a person as regards credit etc.
3 Naut. a Brit. a non-commissioned sailor. b a person's position or class on a ship's books.
4 Brit. an amount fixed as a local rate.
5 the relative popularity of a broadcast programme as determined by the estimated size of the audience.
6 Naut. any of the classes into which racing yachts are distributed by tonnage.2. n. an angry reprimand.