(rāt) noun
1. The measure of a thing by its relation to a standard; proportional or comparative amount or degree: a high rate of interest.
2. Degree of value; price: railway rates; also, the unit cost of a commodity or service: the rate for electricity, gas, water, and the like.
3. Comparative rank or class; condition.
4. The amount of variation of a timepiece; gain or loss in seconds.
5. A ratio for the assessment of property taxes: a rate of 40 mills per thousand dollars.
6. Brit. A local tax on property.
7. The proportion which a given fact or event bears to the total of relevant cases involved: a death rate, marriage rate.
8. A fixed allowance or amount.
9. Obs. Degree; estimation. See synonyms under TAX.
—at any rate In any case; under any circumstances; anyhow.
—differential rate The lower of two rates given usually by two competing railroad lines to one of two places in the same territory in order to make profits even: in England called preferential rate.
—v. rat·ed, rat·ing v.t.
1. To estimate the value or worth of; appraise.
2. To place in a certain rank or grade.
3. To fix the amount of tax or liability on.
4. To consider; regard: He is rated as a great statesman.
5. To fix the rate for the transportation of (goods), as by rail, water, or air.
—v.i.
6. To have rank, rating, or value. See synonyms under CALCULATE. [<OF <L rata (pars) reckoned (part), fem. of ratus, pp. of reri reckon]

(rāt) v.t. & v.i. rat·ed, rat·ing
To reprove with vehemence; rail at: scold. [Origin uncertain. Cf. OF rater scold and Sw. rata find fault.]