— ratlike , adj.
/rat/ , n., interj., v., ratted, ratting .
n.
1. any of several long-tailed rodents of the family Muridae, of the genus Rattus and related genera, distinguished from the mouse by being larger.
2. any of various similar or related animals.
3. Slang. a scoundrel.
4. Slang.
a. a person who abandons or betrays his or her party or associates, esp. in a time of trouble.
b. an informer.
c. a scab laborer.
5. Slang. a person who frequents a specified place: mall rat; gym rat.
6. a pad with tapered ends formerly used in women's hair styles to give the appearance of greater thickness.
7. smell a rat , to suspect or surmise treachery; have suspicion: After noting several discrepancies in his client's story, the attorney began to smell a rat.
interj.
8. rats , Slang. (an exclamation of disappointment, disgust, or disbelief.)
v.i.
9. Slang.
a. to desert one's party or associates, esp. in a time of trouble.
b. to turn informer; squeal: He ratted on the gang, and the police arrested them.
c. to work as a scab.
10. to hunt or catch rats.
v.t.
11. to dress (the hair) with or as if with a rat.
[ bef. 1000; ME rat ( t ) e, OE raet; c. D rat, G Ratz, Ratte ]