rate 1 (r t)n. 1. A quantity measured with respect to another measured quantity: a rate of speed of 60 miles an hour. 2. A measure of a part with respect to a whole; a proportion: the mortality rate; a tax rate. 3. The cost per unit of a commodity or service: postal rates. 4. A charge or payment calculated in relation to a particular sum or quantity: interest rates. 5. Level of quality. 6. Chiefly British A locally assessed property tax. Often used in the plural. v. rat·ed, rat·ing, rates v.tr. 1. To calculate the value of; appraise. See Synonyms at estimate. 2. To place in a particular rank or grade. 3. To regard or account: rated the movie excellent. 4. To value for purposes of taxation. 5. To set a rate for (goods to be shipped). 6. To specify the performance limits of (a machine, for example): This fuse is rated at 50 amperes. 7. Informal To merit or deserve: people that rate special treatment. See Synonyms at earn1. v.intr. Idiom: 1. To be ranked in a particular class. 2. Informal To have status, importance, or influence. at any rate 1. Whatever the case may be. 2. At least. [Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin rata, proportion, short for Latin (pr  ) rat (parte), (according to a) fixed (part), from feminine ablative past participle of r r , to consider, reckon; see ar- in Indo-European roots.] |
| rate 2 (rt) v. rat·ed, rat·ing, rates v.tr. To berate. v.intr. To express reproof. [Middle English raten, perhaps of Scandinavian origin.] |
rates [reɪts]
pl n
(in some countries) a tax levied on property by a local authority
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  rates - a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)Britain, Great Britain, U.K., UK, United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; `Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom revenue enhancement, tax, taxation - charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government poor rates - a local tax for the relief of the poor |
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