▪ I. rate, n.1
(reɪt)
Also 5–6 Sc. rait, 6 ratte, rayt, 7 reat, (9 dial. raate).
[a. OF. rate, (raite, ratte, etc., see Godef.), ad. med.L. rata (from L. pro ratā parte, portiōne, also pro ratā pro rata), fem. of ratus, pa. pple. of rērī to think, judge: see ratio n.]
I. † 1. a. The (total) computed or estimated quantity, amount, or sum of anything, usually as forming a basis for calculating other quantities or sums. Obs.
| 1472–3 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 49/2 Contributours to the costes and expenses..after the quantite and rate of the yerely value of the said rent. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke xix. 145 b, Accordyng to the quantite or rate of the fruict, which they haue brought into the lordes vineyard. 1574 tr. Littleton's Tenures 46 The escuage maye & shal bee apporcioned after the quantity and rate of the lande. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. i. 22, I iudge their number Vpon, or neere, the rate of thirtie thousand. |
† b. A fixed portion or quantity. Obs. rare.
| 1568 Bible (Bishops') Exod. xvi. 4 The people shall go out & gather a certaine rate euery day. 1611 Bible 2 Chron. ix. 24 They brought euery man his present..a rate yeere by yeere. c 1611 Chapman Iliad iv. 275 Our inferior mates Drink even that mix'd wine measur'd too; thou drink'st, without those rates, Our old wine neat. |
2. a. Estimated value or worth (of individual things or persons). † for the rate, in proportion to the value. † beyond the rate, too highly. Also in pl. (17th c.). Cf. sense 5.
| 1425 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 290/2 That everychon of home may holde residence for the rate opon yche of hire Benefice. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 42 b, That Byshoppes and other spirituall parsons shoulde paye..after the rate of the benefice, and certeine summe of money. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. iii. 301 There shall no figure at the Rate be set, As that of True and Faithfull Iuliet. 1620 E. Blount Horæ Subs. 129 To esteeme life aboue the price, or to feare death beyond the rate, be alike euill. 1638 Suckling Brennoralt iii. i, The world does set great rates upon you. a 1677 Hale Contempl. ii. 91 They mightily prize them and set a great rate upon them. 1771 Junius Lett. lii. 267, I am a little offended at the low rate at which you seem to value my understanding. |
† b. Estimation, consideration. Obs.
| 1610 Shakes. Temp. ii. i. 109 My sonne is lost, and (in my rate) she too. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. (1839) 167 It is necessary that there be laws of honour, and a public rate of the worth of such men as have deserved..well of the commonwealth. 1727 De Foe Syst. Magic i. ii. (1840) 44 Wise Men were not..so high-prized as they had been, and grew daily less and less in the ordinary rate and esteem of the World. |
† c. Valuation, rating. Obs. rare—1.
| 1653 Pub. Gen. Acts 331 For want of sufficient time a just and perfect survey or rate of each parish..could not be made and returned. |
3. a. Price, the sum paid or asked for a single thing. † Also pl. (17th c.)
Properly distinct from 6 b, in which rate implies that the same price or sum applies to a number of similar cases; but the two senses cannot always be clearly distinguished.
| 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. iv. iv. 14 Ant. E. Fiue Hundred Duckets villaine for a rope? E. Dro. Ile serue you sir fiue hundred at the rate. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Vanitie 10 To purchase heaven for repenting, Is no hard rate. a 1660 Hammond Serm. xviii. Wks. 1684 IV. 599 The devil..knows the price and value of a soul, and will pay any rate for it rather than lose his market. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. vi. (1848) 117 Giving great rates for neck-laces of true pearl. 1770 Earl Malmesbury Diaries & Corr. I. 66 His Catholic Majesty is inclined..to come to an accommodation with us at almost any rate. 1784 Cowper Task vi. 416 They prove too often at how dear a rate He sells protection. |
† b. at the rate of, at the cost of. Obs.
| 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. v. iii. (1848) 305 The folly of gaining anything at the rate of losing their own Souls. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 58 ¶1 To purchase a..momentary Pleasure at the Rate of making an honest Man unhappy. |
c. at an easy rate, without great expense; also transf. without great loss or suffering. † of easy rate, cheaply purchased. Obs.
| 1596 Drayton Baron's Wars (Roxb.) 340 O! hadst thou in thy glory thus beene slayne, All thy delights had beene of easie rate. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. xiv. (1848) 142 Having sadly Experienc'd..Sickness, I am thereby brought, though at no easie Rate, to set a high Value upon Health. 1726–31 Tindal tr. Rapin's Hist. Eng. (1743) II. xvii. 118 Thinking himself very happy in coming off at so easy a rate. 1819 Shelley Cenci i. ii. 73, I think to win thee at an easier rate. |
II. 4. a. The amount or number of one thing which corresponds or has relation to a certain amount or number of some other thing. Chiefly in phr. at († after) the rate of.
The second number being commonly unity (esp. some unit of time) is sometimes omitted (cf. quot. 1860).
| 1497 Naval Acc. Hen. VII (1896) 147 Euery man takyng after the Rate of xij{supd} ob by the weke. 1538–9 Lett. Suppress. Monast. (Camden) 278 After the rate of xviijs. the hundredd. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 664/1 Six score acres, after the rate of 21 foote to every pearche of the sayd acre. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 148, I feare me, hee reckoneth after the Athenian rate, ten for one. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c. 20 §6 [Interest] after the rate of six pounds per cent. 1781 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) VII. 5163/2 They will contend who shall get the silver at the rate of 15 pounds for one of gold. 1807 Europ. Mag. LII. 112/1, I suppose we had gone at the rate of six miles an hour. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea xviii. §746 Although we were going at the rate of nine knots, the ship made no noise. 1879 Lubbock Sci. Lect. ii. 34 The ants brought in dead insects..at the rate of about twenty-eight a minute. |
† b. Ratio, proportion. Obs.
| 1614 T. Bedwell Nat. Geom. Numbers i. 2 The Base and Height are said to be rational one to another, when as the rate or reason of both may be expressed by a number of the same measure given. 1659 J. Leak Waterwks. 4 There is the same rate of the Water D to the Water O, as there is of the length of the pipe N, to the length of the pipe M. |
5. a. Value (of money, goods, etc.) as applicable to each individual piece or equal quantity.
Custom-house rates orig. belong to this sense, a standard value being assigned to each class of article, and duty paid in accordance with this. In 1657 the title of the ‘book of rates’ is ‘Book of Values of Merchandize imported, according to which Excise is to be paid by the First Buyer’.
With reference to money, rate denotes the conventional or legal value of the metals or coins in relation to each other (cf. ratio n. 3).
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. v. cxxxvi. 122 After y⊇ rate of money nowe currant, a quarter of whete was worth .ii. marks & a halfe. 1545 (title) The rates of the custome house bothe inwarde and outwarde. 1610 (title) Book of Rates. 1612 Acc.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary XXXII. 214 Proclamation for the rate of goolde, as the angell, souereigne and white royall at xis. a peece. a 1692 H. Pollexfen Disc. Trade (1697) 147 The Book of Rates by which the Prizes of all Goods are Regulated at the Custom-House for the Payment of Customs and Duties. 1758 J. Harris Ess. Money & Coins II. 53 The legal rate of an ounce of either of these metals in coin is called the mint price. |
b. The basis of equivalence on which one form of currency is exchanged for another. (Cf. exchange 3 and 4.)
| 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Rate, The rates of exchange, factorship, &c. 1779 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) IV. 2865/2 When the Flemish rate rises above par, Britain gains and Holland loses by the exchange. 1838 Penny Cycl. X. 109/1 The par, for the time being, would be brought to coincide with the actual rate. 1865 Phillips Amer. Paper Curr. II. 164 The only question was as to the rate at which they should be liquidated. |
6. a. The amount of a charge or payment (such as interest, discount, wages, etc.) having relation to some other amount or basis of calculation.
| 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 14 (title) An acte for maintenaunce of the nauy of England, and for certaine rates of frayctes. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. i. iii. 46 He.. brings downe The rate of vsance here with vs in Venice. 1652 Votes Parl. conc. Encouragem. Mariners, That the Rates and Proportions of Pay..be allowed to the Officers of the several Ranks of ships. 1785 Paley Mor. Philos. Wks. 1825 IV. 107 The rate of interest has in most countries been regulated by law. 1833 H. Martineau Manchester Strike iii. 34 It is not on this that the rate of wages depends. 1885 Manch. Exam. 13 July 5/2 The rate of the income tax ought to vary with the means of the payers. |
b. A fixed charge applicable to each individual case or instance; esp. the (or an) amount paid or demanded for a certain quantity of a commodity, material, work, etc.
In 17th c. freq. used of the prices of goods (cf. note to 3); in later use chiefly of charges for carriage.
| 1526 Galway Arch. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 402 Every man or woman which makith aquavitie..to paye the accostomid ratte to the silver boxe. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 662/1 The rest..should be placed in parte of the landes..at such rate, or rather better then others. 1640 Nabbes The Bride i. iv, I like the rates: may the wines please as well. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 56 The Rate of Bricklayers their work. Good London Brick-layers will work the Rod for forty shillings. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 67 The set rate for the Blood of a Man is five hundred Piastres. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 10 ¶11 Bread was sold at Paris for 6d. per Pound, and..there was not half enough even at that Rate. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Coach, Hackney-coaches..exposed to hire..at rates fixed by authority. 1795 J. Phillips Hist. Inland Navig. Addenda 147 The company are authorised to take the following rates, viz. For clay, brick, or stones, one halfpenny per ton per mile. 1845 M{supc}Culloch Taxation ii. vii. (1852) 312 Letters containing one enclosure charged with two single rates. 1883 Manch. Exam. 29 Oct. 5/2 The high rates of the railway companies prevented the cheaper kinds of fish from being sent to the markets. |
† c. Relative cost or expense (of living). Obs.
| 1633 Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. §61 At how easie a rate doe these creatures live that are fed with rest! 1646 Boyle Let. to Marcombes 22 Oct., Wks. 1772 I. p. xxxiii, I have been forced to live at a very high rate (considering the inconsiderableness of my income). |
d. (Usually pl.) Amount of assessment on property for local purposes. (Cf. church-rate, poor-rate.) Also fig., the rate-collector.
| 1712 Prideaux Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4) 48 The Rates must be made with the consent of the major part of the Parish. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. iii. Wks. 1823 I. 138 The rates are high; we have a-many poor. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 307/1 If the parish fail to meet, the churchwardens may themselves impose a rate. 1881 Gladstone Sp. at Leeds 7 Oct., Rates have increased in towns with great rapidity. 1888 R. L. Stevenson Popular Authors 11, Even the Rates and Taxes that besiege your door, have actually read your tales. |
7. a. Degree of speed in moving from one place to another; the ratio between the distance covered and the time taken to traverse it. Chiefly in phr. (to go etc.) at a{ddd}rate. Also const. of (travelling, etc.); at the rate of knots: see knot n.1 3 c.
| 1652 Loveday tr. Calprenede's Cassandra i. 43 We travelled at a great rate, marching whole dayes without resting. 1697 Congreve Mourning Bride i. i, When my Lord beheld the ship pursuing, And saw her rate so far exceeding ours, He came to me. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) I. 67 The coach drove on, at a round rate. 1834 Pringle Afr. Sk. ix. 292 The most rapid rate of ox-wagon travelling,..about thirty miles a day. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xiv. 99 The motion..swiftly augmented to the rate of an avalanche. 1876 W. H. G. Kingston On banks of Amazon 119 The whole herd..wheeling round, off they went at a rapid rate. |
b. Relative speed of working, acting, etc.
| 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 165 ¶11 As workmen will not easily be hurried beyond their ordinary rate. 1858 Homans Cyclop. Commerce 1724/1 The operation has been since proceeding at a still greater rate. 1879 Thomson & Tait Nat. Phil. I. i. §268 The actio agentis..is simply, in modern English phraseology, the rate at which the agent works. 1912 in C. B. Smith Testing Time (1961) ii. 32 The rate of rising loaded as above has been tested up to 600 feet & found to be at the rate of 155 feet per minute. 1930 C. Dixon Parachuting ii. 21 Hampton descended very slowly..landing after a most pleasant experience, such as the modern parachute gives, in thirteen minutes. This rate of descent worked out at 8 feet per second. The modern rate is about 21 feet per second. 1943 T. Horsley Find, Fire & Strike 21 Both pilots throttled back..and used just sufficient engine to give them a rate of sink of 250 feet a minute. 1946 Happy Landings July 9/1 Your rate of climb indicator may show as much as 3,500 feet per minute up. 1963 B. Fozard Instrumentation Nuclear Reactors xiii. 163 Reactivity must be released slowly by withdrawal of the control rods at a rate which is known to keep the rate of divergence within safe bounds. |
c. Of time-pieces: Amount of gain or loss on the correct time during twenty-four hours.
| 1833 Herschel Astron. iii. 139 Their clocks being regulated, and their errors and rates ascertained and applied. |
8. a. Relative amount of variation, increase, decrease, etc.
| 1816 J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art II. 90 A set of glass bubbles, varying from each other in specific gravity at an equal rate. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. iv. (1872) 133 Three millions of paupers..increasing at a frightful rate per day. 1876 Tait Rec. Adv. Phys. Sc. (1885) 357 Rate of change of velocity is called in Kinematics Acceleration. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 200 The rate of augmentation being affected by the character of the rocks bored through. |
b. techn. of the inclination in the thread of a screw.
| 1846 Holtzapffel Turning II. 637 In this comparatively inferior class of screws..whether or not their pitches or rates have any exact relationship to the inch, is a matter of indifference. |
c. Of a spring: a quantity relating the applied load to the compression or extension produced (see quots. 1959, 1961).
| 1957 E. B. Jones Instrument Technol. III. i. 6 For each value of the measured variable there will be a definite position of the feed-back bellows, and as the spring rate of the bellows and spring is fixed, this must mean a definite value of the transmitted pressure. 1959 Motor Manual (ed. 36) v. 123 This ratio can be expressed in terms of pounds weight required to produce a deflection of one inch..and this figure is known as the spring rate. 1961 W. R. Berry Spring Design i. 12 The rate S of the spring is equal to the load per unit of deflection. 1964 H. A. Rothbart Mech. Design & Systems Handbk. xxxiii. 12 Some springs are such that their rate is constant over the entire usable range of deflection. |
III. 9. a. Standard or measure in respect of quality or condition; hence, class, kind, sort, † rank. (See also first-rate A. 1.) † in rate of = as. † to the rate, ? to the full.
| 1509 Fisher Funeral Serm. C'tess Richm. Wks. (1876) 291 She was of singuler wysedome ferre passynge the comyn rate of women. 1567 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 45 Somewhat..whereby it may be vnderstanded to be taken in rate of a vice. 1621 Fletcher Isl. Princess iv. i, They had their sute, they landed, and too th' rate grew rich and powerfull. 1639 Fuller Holy War iii. xxix. (1840) 170 He was very learned, according to the rate of that age. 1663 Gerbier Counsel C vij b, The several Materials..are of the best Rate, as any can be. 1682 J. Flavel Fear 13 'Tis a great sin to love or fear any creature above the rate of a creature. 1703 S. Centlivre Beau's Duel v. i, I look your coffers shou'd maintain me at my rate. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 151 ¶7 The intemperate Meals and loud Jollities of the common Rate of Country Gentlemen. 1815 Jane Austen Emma i. xi, Her brother's disposition to look down on the common rate of social intercourse. |
b. Naut. Class of vessels, esp. war-vessels, according to their size or strength. (See also first-, second-rate, etc.)
The old division of the British navy into six rates of vessels, according to the number of guns carried, is fully explained by Falconer (Marine Dict. s.v. Rates). The vessels of the U.S. navy are rated by tonnage.
| 1662 J. Davies tr. Mandelslo's Trav. 132 Frigots and Barks enter the River, and Vessels of a middle rate shelter under the Ilha da Naos. 1677 A. Yarranton Eng. Improv. 40, I am very well satisfied that Ships of all Rates will be built at Wexford. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Inventions Ded. x, Fifteen Capital Ships for the Royal Navy, besides many more of the lesser Rate. 1702 Lond. Gaz. No. 3775/1 Any of Our Ships of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth or Sixth Rate, or Fire-Ships. 1742 Young Nt. Th. viii. 154 Of various rates they sail, Of ensigns various. 1802 Naval Chron. VIII. 3 A ship of so small a rate as the Trial. 1816 [see first-rate A 1]. |
c. Naut. = rating vbl. n.1 2.
| 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 18 View but his Muster-Books, and you'll, by their Rates, fancy his Men the stoutest Fellows in the Navy. 1963 Amer. Speech XXXVIII. 76 Crow (the embroidered eagle on the rating badge) was used to designate the insignia of rate for the petty officers of the Navy. 1977 Navy News Feb. 18/3 H.M.S. Tartar has no fewer than eight ‘stripeys’ among the junior rates on board. 1978 Ibid. Oct. 4/3 These numbers are calculated from the requirement, which is the number of ratings needed in each rate and branch to fill all sea and shore billets. |
d. Class or sub-class of buildings, in respect of purpose or size.
Chiefly used with ref. to the construction and materials of the various classes of buildings, as regulated by Acts of Parliament.
| 1774 Act 14 Geo. III, c. 78 That the several Churches,..Dwelling houses, and all other Buildings whatsoever..shall be divided into the seven several Rates or classes of Building herein-after described. 1814 Reg. Park 51 As to the rates of houses, second and third rates would generally be most useful. 1845 Act 7 & 8 Vict. c. 84 §7 Any Building of whatever kind which is not hereby expressly assigned to any Class or Rate of a Class. |
† 10. a. Standard of conduct or action; hence, manner, mode, style. Chiefly with after. Obs.
| c 1470 Henryson Mor. Fab. ii. (Town & C. Mouse) viii, I keip the rait and custome of my dame. a 1529 Skelton Caudatos Anglos 20 Skelton laureat After this rate Defendeth with his pen All Englysh men. 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. x. 52 Thus sate they all around in seemely rate. 1648 W. Jenkyn Blind Guide i. 14 He speaking after the rate of the eldest sonne of Gogmagog; more like a Polyphemus than like a Paul. 1659 Shirley Hon. & Mam. v. ii, I have not liv'd After the rate to fear another world. 1702 Eng. Theophrast. 77 They behaved themselves after another rate in private. 1792 Cowper Let. to J. Johnson 22 Oct., I proceed much after the old rate; rising cheerless.., and brightening a little as the day goes on. |
† b. at a (certain) rate: In a..way or manner. So at this rate, etc. Obs.
| 1654–66 Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 782 He used me at a Rate, which might have assured me he would deny me nothing. 1692 R. L'Estrange Josephus, Antiq. xiii. xviii. (1733) 351 Let them treat their King at never so coarse a Rate, the Multitude would be sure to side with them. 1707 Watts Hymns, ‘Come holy Spirit, heavenly Dove’ iv, Dear Lord! and shall we ever lie At this poor dying rate? 1722 De Foe Plague (1756) 150 A grave and sober Man, and not pleased with their lying at this loose Rate the first Night. |
11. Degree or extent of action, feeling, etc. Chiefly in phr. at a{ddd}rate (passing into 7 b and freq. not clearly distinct from 10 b).
| 1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1130 Of your bounte the accustomable rate. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxxxix. xii, O Lord, thou know'st in highest rate I hate them all as foes to me. 1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. (Vol. I) 304 If you feed all your flock at this rate [etc.]. 1666 Bunyan Grace Abound. §26, I swore and curst at that most fearful Rate, that she was made to tremble to hear me. 1703 Sharp Wks. (1754) II. 105 It is very hard for flesh and blood to live after that rate of strictness. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. i. 122 The dogs..laid themselves down, panting at a great rate. |
IV. Phrases.
† 12. a. after the rate, on the same scale, in proportion. Obs.
| 1427 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 318/2 Ye inhabitantz..pay to oure..soverain Lord, 11s. And so above, aftre ye rate. 1505 Berwick Reg. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) Varr. Collect. I. 10 The gilde..ordened..the stone to wey xvj poundes..and the halffstone after the rayt, and the quarter after the rayt. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §121 Let two of them be bores, and foure of them sowes, and so to contynue after the rate. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. v. (Arb.) 161 His manner of vtterance..[is] more plaine, or busie and intricate, or otherwise affected after the rate. |
† b. after one rate, equally, to an equal extent; in the same manner. Obs.
| 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys 158 The clargy both pore preste and prelate..vse the same almost after one rate. 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 129 Therfore shall the world continue alwayes after one rate. |
† 13. a. of a rate, on a par or equality, equal. Obs.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 310 The cases of Pericles & Pompeius [were] muchewhat of a rate in all behalfes. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. v. xix. 438 This would..make lazinesse and painfulnesse both of a rate, when beggary was the reward of both. 1663 Butler Hud. i. i. 629 Their Valours too were of a Rate. |
† b. at a rate, equally. Also, of equal cost, equally easy to attain. Obs.
| a 1623 Camden Rem. (1637) 184 He also graunted liberty of coyning to certaine Cities and Abbeies, allowing them one staple, and two puncheons at a rate, with certaine restrictions. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iii. vii. 166 Those that raise a new house from the ground are blame-worthy if they make it not handsome, seeing to them Method and Confusion are both at a rate. |
14. at any rate. † a. At any price or cost; on any terms. Obs. † b. (With negatives.) On any account. Obs. c. Under any circumstances; in any or either case. d. At all events; at least. † e. By any means. Obs.
| 1619 Fletcher False One i. i, I have no friend,..or Country, but your favour, Which I'le preserve at any rate. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. A ij, The malice of such as carpe at any rate. 1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Compl. Gard. Pref., Some men..seek in a few years after, to get rid of them at any rate. 1700 S. L. tr. Fryke's Voy. E. Ind. 95 People..who go over to the Indies with no other design but to enrich themselves at any rate. 1730 A. Gordon Maffei's Amphith. 272 Those deserving Citizens have at any rate kept up the internal Part of a Fabrick. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) IV. 58 We must not..offend our Harry at any rate. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. iv. 442 He recommended, if not a dereliction, at any rate a suspension of the design. 1865 Trollope Belton Est. xxix. 348 All would be well, or, at any rate, comfortable with her. |
15. at all rates. † a. At any cost or by any means. Obs. b. At all events = 14 d.
| 1704 Gd. Expedient for Innocence & Peace in Harl. Misc. (1746) VIII. 12/2 The vicious Man..will boggle at nothing; but, at all Rates, will climb up to.. Posts of Advantage or Authority. 1745 A. Butler Lives of Saints (1836) II. 117 Let him at all rates make haste to find it, though for this he should sacrifice everything else. 1819 Scott Br. Lamm. xxxiv, Bucklaw's friends..had previously insisted that he should, at all rates, be transported from the castle to the nearest of their houses. 1857 Truths Cath. Relig. (ed. 4) I. 291 They..were determined at all rates that all should know that they could speak strange languages. |
16. at that (or this) rate, in that case, things being so, under these circumstances. (Common in colloquial use.)
| 1781 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) VII. 4168/1 It may be asked, how, at this rate, any silver has remained in England? 1921 G. B. Shaw Back to Methuselah p. lx, But how, at this rate, did Darwin succeed with the capitalists too? 1930 ― Apple Cart i. 20 Oh for Heaven's sake dont contradict her, Joe. We shall never get anywhere at this rate. |
17. a. attrib. and Comb. (chiefly sense 6 d), as rate-aid, rate-aided adj., rate-collector, rate-determining adj., rate-limiting adj., rate-making, † rate-master, rate-payer, rate-paying, rate rebate, rate-setting adj., rate-support, rate-supported adj.; also rate-buster slang, a piece-worker whose high productivity causes or threatens to cause a reduction in piece-work rates; hence rate-busting vbl. n.; rate-capping, the imposition of upper limits on the amount of money which a local authority can spend and also levy through rates, intended as a disincentive to excessive spending on local services, etc.; hence [as back-formation] rate-cap v. trans., to subject to rate-capping; intr., to impose rate-capping; also as n., an instance of rate-capping, and rate-capped a.; rate-card, a list of charges for advertising; rate constant Physical Chem., a coefficient of proportionality relating the rate of a chemical reaction at a given temperature to the concentration of reactant (in a unimolecular reaction), or to the product of the concentrations of reactants (in a reaction of higher order); rate-cutting, a lowering of charges or of rates of pay; † rate factor Biol., a biological factor which influences or determines the speed of a developmental process, and so may affect the phenotype of the mature organism; rate-fixer, one who fixes the rates at which piece-workers are paid; so rate-fixing vbl. n.; † rate gene Biol., a gene which acts as a rate factor; ratemeter, an instrument which displays or records the counting rate, usu. averaged over a time interval, of pulses in an electronic counter, esp. those resulting from incidence of ionizing radiation; † rate tithe (see quot.).
| 1894 Ch. Times 22 June 678/2 *Rate-aid, with its corollary of partially popular control. |
| 1882 Daily News 20 Jan. 2/5 State-aided and *rate-aided schools. |
| 1939 Roethlisberger & Dickson Managem. & Worker xxii. 522 You should not turn out too much work. If you do, you are a ‘*rate buster’. 1948 Appl. Anthropol. VII. 5/1 In every work group there is nearly always a very small minority of individuals who refuse to be held back and insist on making as much bonus as they like... In current American industrial literature such workers are referred to as ‘rate-busters’. 1972 M. Argyle Social Psychol. of Work vi. 113 A rate-buster may be given a raised eyebrow, a look of disapproval, a blow on the arm, or may simply be avoided. |
| 1967 C. Margerison in Wills & Yearsley Handbk. Managem. Technol. 31 However, such practices as the prevention of *rate-busting are extremely logical and rational from the workers' point of view. |
| 1983 Daily Tel. 28 Sept. 10/7 The Government's *rate-capping plan was ‘yet another giant stride along the path of tight Whitehall control over life in Britain’. 1984 Guardian 25 July 2/8 Opposition cries of derision, as when the name of Portsmouth appeared among the rate-capped. 1985 Economist 26 Jan. 23/2 Will the government hit the target this time? At least it has the power to rate-cap. 1987 Guardian 14 Jan. 1/2 The rate cap takes no account of the effects of the outcome of the current negotiations on the teachers' pay settlement. 1987 Library Assoc. Rec. Feb. 60/1 The rate-capped authorities fell into two camps: those which apparently ignored rate-capping and continued to develop service provision and those..which were faced with substantial closures. |
| 1905 Calkins & Holden Art of Mod. Advertising 352 A *rate-card is a card or printed sheet giving the advertising rates in a given publication. 1962 Rep. Comm. Broadcasting 1960 69 in Parl. Papers 1961–2 (Cmnd. 1753) IX. 259 These figures represent the cost, as shown in the programme companies' rate-cards, of booking the time taken for advertisements during the year. 1977 Listener 31 Mar. 399/2 The NBC and CBS affiliate stations..are getting worried. Can they hold their advertising rate-cards when audiences are falling? |
| 1888 Mrs. H. Ward R. Elsmere v. xxxi, Imagine Mr. Langham interviewed by a *rate-collector or troubled about coals! |
| 1927 Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. XLIX. 1620 Let K∞ be the fraction decomposed per second at high pressures, or the unimolecular *rate constant. 1950 W. J. Moore Physical Chem. xvii. 516 The units of the rate constant depend on the order of the reaction. 1956 Nature 21 Jan. 127/1 The results allowed determination of the approximate values of the pseudo first-order hydrolytic rate-constants of the amide groups in these substances. 1972 R. A. Jackson Mechanism iii. 28 If the equilibrium constant is known.., and the kinetic order and reaction rate constant is determined for the reverse reaction, the order and rate constant for the forward reaction can be calculated. |
| 1888 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 485/2 Its percentage being fixed there is no motive for *rate-cutting. 1956 J. A. C. Brown Social Psychol. Industry v. 145 The most frequent reasons given by the unorganized worker for such practices were rate-cutting, fear of unemployment, [etc.]. 1978 Detroit Free Press 16 Apr. 2a/1 Capitol Cartage and its owners deny that they have used shakedowns, payoffs, bribery, rate-cutting, intimidation and terror to eliminate competition. |
| 1935 Jrnl. Chem. Physics III. 113 When the *rate determining step shifts to the collision process..we again use well-known statistical methods. 1968 R. O. C. Norman Princ. Org. Synthesis xiv. 436 The rate-determining step in the reaction of neopentyl bromide is the formation of the high-energy primary carbonium ion. |
| 1927 Brit. Jrnl. Exper. Biol. V. 121 (heading) Summary of families carrying accessory *rate-factors. 1931 E. B. Ford Mendelism & Evolution ii. ii. 29 It is probable that such rate-factors controlling the speed and time of onset of processes in the body, are of very general occurrence. 1932 J. S. Huxley Prob. Relative Growth i. 4 Any genes controlling relative size of parts will have to exert their action by influencing the rates of processes, and so fall in line with the numerous other rate-factors whose importance has been summarized by Goldschmidt (1927) and by Ford and Huxley (1929). |
| 1930 Engineering 30 May 696/2 In this office, the operations are made out on a master card and forwarded to the *rate fixers. The latter carefully estimate the cost of the work, and add the workmen's allowance of 331/3 per cent. |
| 1907 Daily Chron. 19 Mar 2/6 The operations of a specially-constituted *rate-fixing branch as regards piece work in the Royal Carriage Department. 1959 Times 14 Jan. 2/5 They [sc. candidates] must also be experienced in the running and organising of process planning, ratefixing. |
| 1932 J. S. Huxley Probl. Relative Growth v. 230 (caption) Diagram to show effects of *rate-genes on eye pigmentation. 1938 R. Goldschmidt Physiol. Genetics ii. iii. 52 Goldschmidt..first drew attention to rate genes and their importance for an understanding of gene action. |
| 1946 Nature 28 Sept. 448/2 A slow heterolysis of nitric acid cannot depend only on proton transfers, and therefore the *rate-limiting fission..must occur in an NO-bond. 1974 M. C. Gerald Pharmacol. xii. 219 The rate at which this reaction occurs determines the speed at which alcohol is removed from the body, and hence this reaction is termed ‘the rate-limiting step’. |
| 1969 Jane's Freight Containers 1968–69 126/1 The formation of a Market Research Department to develop new methods of *rate-making. |
| 1641 S. Smith Herring Buss Trade 26 The *Rate-masters for their appraysement and visiting of each barrel of salt. |
| 1949 Nucleonics Feb. 74/1 After the charge in the tank circuit of the *rate meter has reached equilibrium, the rate meter indicates the counting rate at a glance. 1962 G. A. T. Burdett Automatic Control Handbk. ix. 33 The electronic system usually associated with nucleonic switches and gauges incorporating Geiger counters is known as a ‘ratemeter’. This unit provides an indication of the rate at which the counter is detecting incident radiation and is usually provided with a variable integrating time control. 1974 Physics Bull. Aug. 349/1 The intensity of the x ray reflection is indicated by the frequency of clicks in a loud speaker, by the flashes of a GaP lamp and by the reading of a ratemeter. |
| 1845 Stephen Comm. Laws Eng. (1874) I. 120 The election by the *rate payers of a certain number of vestrymen. 1898 G. B. Shaw Let. 12 Mar. (1972) II. 15 Ratepayers' Association in the evening. 1955 Times 27 June 9/3 No ratepayer can properly gauge the effect of revaluation until he knows what rate his local authority intends to levy in the new dispensation. 1976 Daily Tel. 30 June 2/6 Honest citizens and rate-payers alike. |
| 1862 Ansted Channel Isl. iv. xxiii. (ed. 2) 523 The *rate-paying constituency. 1857 Toulmin Smith Parish 473 Inhabitancy, not ‘ratepaying’, is the only right test of the Parish Roll. |
| 1965 Economist 4 Dec. 1050/1 (heading) *Rate rebates. Helping the needy. a 1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1975) I. 303 The main issue was whether I should be allowed a special short Bill introducing rate rebates before the long-term reform of rating. |
| 1963 Economist 7 Sept. 828/1 The foreign shipowners who dominate the *rate-setting consortiums. |
| 1966 Times 21 Dec. 12/6 Mr. Greenwood, Minister of Housing and Local Government.., moved that the *Rate Support Grant Order, 1966, be approved. 1976 Scotsman 25 Nov. 9/4 They condemned the reduction in rate support for Scotland as mere transfer of existing expenditure from central government to the ratepayer. |
| 1905 Daily Chron. 1 Feb. 6/1 A remission in rates should be made to companies which were the chief ratepayers in districts in which *rate-supported tramways run. 1922 Joyce Ulysses 710 Ratesupported moribund lunatic pauper. 1961 T. Landau Encycl. Librarianship (ed. 2) 296/1 There is only one local authority area in the whole of the U.K. which has not a rate-supported public library. |
| 1670 Blount Law Dict., *Rate Tythe is where Sheep or other Cattel are kept in a Parish for less time than a year, the Owner must pay Tythe for them pro rata according to the Custom of the place. |
b. pl. used attrib. in sense 6 d, as rates aid, rates man, rates rebate, rates reduction, rates tribunal.
| 1966 Times 11 May 1/4 (heading) Rates aid to start next April. |
| 1953 Dylan Thomas Let. 17 Mar. (1966) 397 Friendly Brown's can wait. These tradesmen and rates-men can't. |
| 1966 Times 17 Aug. 8/6 Rates rebates in the first six months' operation of the Rating Act, 1966, are expected to total {pstlg}6,850,000. |
| 1971 Reader's Digest Family Guide to Law 90 (heading), How to apply for a rates reduction. |
| 1935 Economist 23 Feb. 429/1 The task of the Railway Rates Tribunal will be unenviable when, next November, they are due to fix the rebates for the year 1935–36. |
▪ II. rate, n.2 Hunting.
(reɪt)
[f. rate v.2]
A reproof to a dog.
| 1575 Turberv. Venerie xiii. 30 With your wande you muste..beate him a good while..to the ende that another time he may know the rate. 1781 P. Beckford Hunting (1802) 95 As long as they will stop at a rate, they are not chastised. 1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Brit. Sports i. i. iii. §6 (ed. 2) 33 The dog..should be brought back with the already-taught rate, ‘Ware-chase’. 1976 Shooting Times & Country Mag. 18–24 Nov., Never fail to give a severe rate and a flick of your whip if any young hound gives a challenging voice to a bullock, cow, or a strange dog. |
▪ III. † rate, n.3 Obs. rare.
[ad. L. ratum neut. of ratus: see rate n.1]
Ratification.
| c 1611 Chapman Iliad i. 509 Irrevocable; never fails; never without the rates Of all powers else. |
▪ IV. † rate, n.4 Obs. rare.
[a. F. rate (13th c.).]
The spleen.
| 1486 Bk. St. Albans F iij, Than put owt the paunche, and from the paunche taas Away wightly the Rate sich as he haas. 1578 Lyte Dodoens iii. lxv. 406 Greeues comming or proceeding from the Rate or Spleene. [1678 Phillips (ed. 4) Suppl., Rate of a Boar, a word used by the old Venatory writers for the Spleen of a Boar.] |
▪ V. † rate, a. Obs. rare.
[ad. L. ratus: see rate n.3 Cf. OF. rate (1370 in Godef.).]
Valid.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 70 Mariage mad in þrid & ferd degre, aȝen þe ordinaunce of þe kirk, is rate & stable. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. ii. i. rule i. §56 The church of Rome ..hath pronounced some marriages void which by the rule of nature..were rate and legal. |
▪ VI. rate, v.1
(reɪt)
[f. rate n.1]
† 1. a. trans. To fix, assign, settle the amount of (a payment, fine, etc.). Obs.
| 1477 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 178/2 After the rate and afferant of the seid Rent, to be rated and affered with the seid Burgage. 1581 Lambarde Eiren. ii. iv. (1588) 169 To rate the fine, according to the quantitie of their trespasse. a 1623 Camden Rem. (1637) 182 It was referred to the King to rate how much he should pay. |
† b. To divide proportionally; to allot or apportion (between or to persons) as an amount or sum to be received or paid (quot. 1661); also, to give or assign (one) his share. Obs.
| 1491 Act 7 Hen. VII, c. 20 §6 The same DC. Marcs to be rated and apporcioned betwix the seid Mary and Elizabeth. 1530 Palsgr. 679/2, I rate one, I set one to his porcyon or stynte... He wolde eate more than thre and he might be suffred, but I shall rate hym well ynoughe. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke iii. 31 b, It is rated out vnto you by a plain rule, howe muche or litel ye ought to require of the people for any duetie. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iii. vi. 25 We had not rated him His part o' th' Isle. 1661 Marvell Corr. xxiv. Wks. 1872–5 II. 60 A Bill for inabling Church⁓wardens to rate such monys as are for the repare of churches. |
2. To reckon, calculate, estimate the amount or sum of. Now rare.
| 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, i. iii. 44 When we see the figure of the house, Then must we rate the cost of the Erection. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe (1871) 28 It hath lost by the Dunkirkers, a thousand pounds..and other loses not rated. 1660 Willsford Scales Comm. A ij b, Tis not Life, but Time, we ought to rate. 1799 Campbell Pleas. Hope ii. 173 There shall he pause with horrent brow, to rate What millions died—that Cæsar might be great! 1814 Cary tr. Dante, Par. xxiv. 19 They, by the measure paced..Made me to rate the riches of their joy. |
3. a. To estimate the († nature) worth or value of; to appraise, value, † price.
| 1599 Sir J. Davies Nosce Teipsum Poems (Grosart) I. 76 When she rates things,..The name of Reason she obtaines by this. 1626 Sir R. Cotton in Shaw Monetary Tracts (1896) 44 Being all either Mechanicks or Merchants, they can rate accordingly their labours or their wares..to the present condition of their money in exchange. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 48 It were likewise better to agree with Painters, to have their work rated on running measure. 1710 Swift in Tatler No. 230 ¶2 You may see them gilt and in Royal Paper of Five or Six Hundred Pages, and rated accordingly. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 166 ¶8 Instead of rating the man by his performance, we rate too frequently the performance by the man. 1798 Ferriar Illustr. Sterne i. 14 Gold may be rated to its utmost grain. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. viii. (1875) 323 We English are capable of rating him far more correctly if we knew him better. |
b. To value at a certain sum. Also with other preps. as above, below, or with advbs. as high(ly), low, etc.
| 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 282 The Hospital of Saint Laurence..rated at twenty poundes yeerely. a 1660 Hammond Serm. xxv. Wks. 1684 IV. 651 They brought out their Books and burnt them..; which..were rated at 50000 pieces of silver. 1672 Petty Pol. Anat. (1691) 21 Slaves and Negroes are usually rated at about 15l. one with another. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France II. 41 Human life is lower rated in all parts of Italy than with us. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. iii. v, A future age..may rate high this poor invention. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 191 Each offence against morality was rated at its specific money value. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 57 You rate yourself too humbly. |
c. To assign a certain value to (coin or metals) as, or in relation to, monetary standards. (Chiefly in pass.; also const. to.)
| 1758 J. Harris Ess. Money & Coins II. 60 Let us suppose that in England gold coins are rated five per cent. higher in proportion to silver. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. v. (1869) I. 44 Copper is rated very much above its real value. 1858 Homans Cyclop. Commerce 339/2 In England, copper pence and halfpence are rated at about 72 per cent. above their real value. 1893 Ld. Aldenham Colloquy on Currency iv. (1900) 111 Silver was the standard; gold was rated to it. |
d. colloq. To set a high value on, to think much of.
| 1973 Times 10 Feb. 7/7 You can never be sure of Brazil, of course, but I don't rate the South Americans next time. I believe 1974 will be dominated by the Europeans. 1973 New Society 12 Apr. 64/2 He would like to play cricket for Surrey, but he doesn't rate his chances. 1976 E. Dunphy Only a Game? iv. 104 He's a good honest pro, but somehow Benny doesn't rate him. 1977 World of Cricket Monthly June 85/1, I must say we rated our chances going up to Headingley. |
4. To reckon, esteem, consider, count. † Const. to with infin.
| 1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 89 Thus God must be rated to gouerne aboue, and the Pope beneath. a 1568 Coverdale Bk. Death x. (1579) 291 Then should not he [Themistocles] afterward haue bene rated, as a betrayer of Greekeland. 1601 Shakes. All's Well ii. i. 182 All that life can rate Worth name of life, in thee hath estimate. 1713 Steele Guard. No. 6 ¶3 The Buildings would be rated as Lumber. 1776 Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 11 May, Surely I may rate myself among their benefactors. 1847 Tennyson Princ. i. 70 A king, Whom all men rate as kind and hospitable. 1871 B. Taylor Faust (1875) I. iv. 69 Consider well: my memory good is rated. 1932 Sun (Baltimore) 27 Apr. 15/2 Major General, avoiding interference going to the first turn, was rated in front until reaching the homestretch. 1950 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. LXIII. 521 The Ss..rated each pair on a scale of similarity. 1956 C. Willock Death at Flight vi. 76, I still rate your type of scatter-gun old-fashioned. 1962 Observer 25 Feb. 21/4, I still rate him the tops. 1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 4-a/2 Gen. Antonio Ramalho Eanes, a dour disciplinarian pledged to restore law and order, was rated an overwhelming favorite Saturday to win the Portuguese presidency. |
5. a. In pass. To be subjected or liable to payment of a certain rate; to be valued for purposes of assessment, taxation, or the like.
| 1580 Act 23 Eliz. c. 15 §27 The Inhabitants of the Parishe of S{supt} Martyn..shalbe assessed, rated and taxed [etc.]. a 1692 H. Pollexfen Disc. Trade (1697) A iv, About 1400 sorts, or distinctions of Commodities, rated to pay Customs. 1726 Swift Gulliver iii. vi, Constancy, chastity, good sense, and good nature, were not rated, because they would not bear the charge of collecting. 1809 Bawdwen tr. Domesday Bk. 154 This is rated in the manor to which it belongs. 1860 Dickens Uncomm. Trav. iii, One poor parish in this very Union is rated to the amount of five and sixpence in the pound. 1880 M{supc}Carthy Own Times IV. l. 68 Houses are generally rated at a value somewhat below the amount of the rent. |
b. Const. to (the payment required).
| 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iii. xxv. 230 Clergie-men are deeply rated to all payments. 1694 Crowne Regulus i. 1 Were you not rated to the public charge? 1776 Adam Smith W.N. v. ii. (1869) II. 411 The estimation by which Great Britain is rated to the land-tax. 1845 Stephen Comm. Laws Eng. (1874) II. 356 The party shall have been rated to all poor rates..made in respect of the premises. |
c. to rate up, to impose a higher rate (of insurance).
| 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 481 The habit of ‘rating up’ for tropical fever, ague, dysentery, &c...is also fully justified by experience. |
6. a. Chiefly Naut. To place in a certain class or rank; to give rating to.
| 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 19 These..are rated able on his Ship's Books. 1758 J. Blake Plan. Mar. Syst. 7 Each man..shall have two months pay advanced him, according to the class in which he is rated. 1803 Nelson in Nicolas Disp. (1846) VII. p. ccxiv, Captain Hillyar has been so good as to say he would rate you Mid. 1885 Hunt's Yachting Mag. 383 As a ketch she should be rated as a B schooner. 1887 Besant The World went, etc. i. 10 On board that ship I was rated as surgeon. |
b. intr. To have a certain rating or position; to be rated as. Also quasi-trans. (quot. 1809). Hence, to be accorded a certain position; to be considered as, to count as.
| 1809 Naval Chron. XXII. 362 She rates 36 guns, and is to be named the Malacca. 1819 Shelley Cenci i. i. 24 The deed he saw could not have rated higher Than his most worthless life. 1854 H. Miller Sch. & Schm. (1858) 174 My master was to be permitted to rate as a full journeyman. 1949 Sun (Baltimore) 23 May 16/6 She will rate near the top of her class, which means that in racing she will have to give time to most of her competitors. 1959 A. Fullerton Yellow Ford xiv. 186 I'm important to him, too, but I don't rate that high. 1961 Observer 12 Mar. 29 (Advt.), You can be an important person all the same. You'll certainly rate as one if you own a ‘Retinette’, the Kodak precision camera. 1965 Listener 16 Sept. 425/2 Although Madame de Beauvoir rates as an ‘intellectual’, her book is a narrative of doings and feelings rather than of ideas and reflections. 1966 J. Porter Sour Cream viii. 104 The disappearance of Melkin didn't even rate as a nine-days' wonder. 1976 National Observer (U.S.) 18 Dec. 17/1 A show may rate as expected, may languish or may exceed expectations. 1977 Ibid. 1 Jan. 1/4 Toy poodles rate dumbest in a test you can give your dog too. |
c. trans. To merit, to deserve; to be worthy to attain or obtain; to be treated as worthy of, be accorded.
| 1921 Collier's 3 July 22/1 Where does he rate that stuff?.. Where does he fit to grab off that Jane? 1928 Amer. Speech III. 220 Rate, v., to obtain, or to be entitled to. ‘Did you rate a bid to the Kappa party?’ 1940 A. W. Fearn My Days of Strength xiv. 153 Fond as the Chinese are of weddings and funerals, only virgins in China rate weddings with all the trimmings. 1957 E. Hyams Into Dream ii. i. 93 His power of command barely rated his two stripes. 1959 Listener 4 June 992/3 Nor is one certain..whether C. W. Brodribb or Harold Child, nice men though they both were, really rate the Dictionary of National Biography. 1962 New Statesman 28 Dec. 935/1 Christmas cards don't even rate a mention in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1974 ‘A. Gilbert’ Nice Little Killing vi. 82 He got out his old second-hand car—the village bobby didn't rate a panda. 1974 Howard Jrnl. XIV. 95 Mannheim, Radzinowicz [etc.]..rate between them nine titles in the bibliography. 1976 Times Lit. Suppl. 16 Apr. 460/5 The work of A. Z. Steinberg, for instance, whose contribution to Dostoevsky studies is sadly undervalued, rates no more than a mention in a half-page summary. 1978 G. Greene Human Factor v. i. 236, I rate a lifetime in jail. 1979 ‘A. Hailey’ Overload iii. xii. 257 The statement by the Governor of California in support of the project rated a brief paragraph near the end of the..report. |
d. intr. To have some standing, to be of importance; to matter, ‘count’; to be highly esteemed.
| 1928 Amer. Speech III. 220 Sometimes the word is used in another sense; ‘Price is rating pretty high with Betty these days’ means that he stands very high in her estimation. 1938 Chatelaine Feb. 44/1 Nowadays to really ‘rate’ you must have more than an attractive face and figure. 1951 M. McLuhan Mech. Bride (1967) 112/1 The eye is anxiously turned on the neighbor or friend with a ‘How do I measure up?’ ‘Do I rate?’ 1967 Listener 14 Sept. 350/3 As a rock group, then, the Kinks don't rate musically. |
7. trans. a. To calculate or fix at a certain rate.
| 1845 M{supc}Culloch Taxation i. iii. (1852) 91 From household servants being mostly paid by time, the generality of persons are most familiar with wages so rated. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 165 It was..the cost of their maintenance as rated by themselves which they threateningly demanded. |
b. To ascertain the variation of (a chronometer) from true time.
| 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. v. (1856) 36 The facilities which they offer for rating chronometers. 1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. v. (ed. 2) 193 The watch used in rating chronometers, should..be carried in a box. |
c. U.S. To convey at certain rates.
| 1881 Chicago Times 12 Mar., Large quantities of freight have been rated through to New York by..other lines. |
d. To cause to proceed at a moderate pace, to regulate the pace of; spec. in horse-racing, to ride (a horse) at a moderate pace, conserving his energy for the finish. Also intr. for passive, of a horse: to be ridden in this way. orig. U.S.
| 1920 H. C. Witwer in Collier's 3 July 9/2 Ring generalship, that's what you're minus, and the only way you can get it is by experience. You gotta be rated along, not rushed... Many a promisin' kid has been ruined at the start by bein' overmatched. 1946 Sun (Baltimore) 28 June 9/2 Villa Nova, escaping the jam at the half-mile pole, was rated to head of stretch, then closed well through last eighth of a mile. 1961 J. S. Salak Dict. Amer. Sports 354 Rating (harness racing), maintaining an even rate of speed and timing finishing rush. Harness horses are rated to a fraction of a second in miles. 1977 N.Z. Herald 5 Jan. 1–12/5 He rated Red Vesta perfectly in front, kicked clear in the straight and won comfortably. 1977 Time 20 June 51/2 But Turner's gentle methods have made Slew, a natural front runner, into a sound horse who ‘rates kindly’, or can tolerate another horse in front of him—at least for a while. |
8. To assign a rating (sense 3) to (a piece of equipment, etc.). Const. at the value concerned. Usu. in pass.
| 1893 Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers X. 255 Manufacturers cannot accurately rate their fuse-wire unless the length of the specimen to be used is specified. 1905 Jrnl. Inst. Electr. Engineers XXXV. 388 Fuses rated to blow with an excess current of 50 per cent of their normal carrying capacity get far too hot. 1940 Amat. Radio Handbk. (ed. 2) ii. 39/1 This valve..is rated at 25 watts dissipation at 500 volts. 1953 J. Liston Power Plants for Aircraft i. 7 Nearly all aircraft power plants are capable of developing much more power than that at which they are rated. Ibid. iii. 104 By definition, iso-octane was given an octane number of 100 and normal heptane was rated at zero octane number. 1975 D. G. Fink Electronics Engineers' Handbk. vii. 6 Such resistors are rated from 5 to 20 kV, have a resistance range of 2,000 Ω to 1,000 ΜΩ, and are rated from 5 up to 20 W. 1977 Offshore Engineer Apr. 75/2 Average life of the new type thallium iodide bulb is rated by UMEL at approximately 500 hours. |
▪ VII. rate, v.2
(reɪt)
Also 6 rayt, rait.
[Of obscure origin.
Langland has arate, of which rate may be an aphetic form. In the C-text (xiii. 35) two MSS. of the beginning of the 15th c. have the readings rate and rehete; with the latter cf. Udall's rahate.]
1. trans. To chide, scold, reprove vehemently or angrily. Const. for, † of. (In 16–17th c. freq. intensified by all to.) a. a person.
| c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 277 He shal be rated of his studiyng. 1392–3 Complaint in Peasants' Rising (1899) 50 The Maior did openlie rate the said ministers for that they had donne. 1470–85 Malory Arthur x. xii, Sire Dagonet folowed after Kynge Mark cryenge and rateynge hym as a wood man. 1526 Tindale Col. iii. 21 Fathers rate not youre children. 1534 [see all adv. 15]. 1587 Holinshed Chron. III. 1064/1 Hee rose vp and shut the doores, and..rated me for leauing them vnshut. 1605 Camden Rem. 229 The Bishop being angrie, rated the fellow roughly. 1642 J. Eaton Honey-c. Free Justif. 160 As if a father..should not be content to chide, beat, and all to rate him. 1724 De Foe Mem. Cavalier i. 94 The King was in some Passion at his Men, and rated them for running away. 1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley vi. 101 He..began to rate them soundly for their ingratitude. 1874 Green Short Hist. vii. §3. 363 [Elizabeth] rated great nobles as if they were schoolboys. |
b. a dog. (Cf. rate n.2)
| 1579 Gosson Apol. Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 71 Hee rateth his dogge, for wallowing in carrion. a 1628 Preston New Covt. (1634) 124 The Shepheard sets his Dogge upon his Sheepe to bring them in, but when they are brought in, he rates his Dogge. 1781 P. Beckford Hunting (1802) 106 When hounds are rated and do not answer the rate, they should be coupled up immediately. 1845 Youatt Dog (1858) 77 If he is immediately called in and rated, or perhaps corrected,..he will learn his proper lesson. |
† 2. To drive away, back, from or off, by rating.
| 1575 Turberv. Venerie 132 The Varlets of the kennel..rate away the houndes. ― Faulconrie 183 Ryding..about hir on horsebacke, and rating backe your Spaniels. 1584 Lyly Campaspe v. iii, I am a dogge, and Phylosophy rates mee from carion. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 99 He..Rated my Vnckle from the Councell-Boord. 1640 W. Bridge True Sould. Convoy 35 Afflictions shall be all rated of in due time, as the dog is when he falleth upon a friend. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. ii. App. (1852) 228 All attempts of surviving malice..give me leave to rate off with indignation. 1872 A. C. Steele Broken Toys II. xxv. 151 Ben Alymer..took up the butt-end of his gun and rated the pointer back. |
3. intr. To utter strong or angry reproofs. Chiefly const. at.
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. i. 175 If those..Be thus vpbrayded, chid, and rated at. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 224 There were four Lions..under one mans charge, who never ceas'd raving and rating after them. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 98 Mrs. Jewkes..fell a rating at her most sadly. 1844 Disraeli Coningsby i. vii. 31 Her step-mother..seemed seldom to address her but to rate and chide. 1872 Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 1253 Such a one As all day long hath rated at her child. |
▪ VIII. † rate, v.3 Obs. rare.
[f. L. ratus: see rate n.1 and n.3]
trans. To ratify.
| c 1611 Chapman Iliad iii. 123 That they from thence might call King Priam,..to rate the truce they swore. Ibid. xiv. 230 That all the Gods..may to us be witnesses and rate What thou hast vow'd. |
▪ IX. rate
variant of ret v.