rate
  Pronunciation: (rāt), [key]    — n., v., rat•ed, rat•ing. 
  
  
 —n.  - the amount of a charge or payment with reference to some basis of calculation: a high rate of interest on loans. 
  - a certain quantity or amount of one thing considered in relation to a unit of another thing and used as a standard or measure: at the rate of 60 miles an hour. 
  - a fixed charge per unit of quantity: a rate of 10 cents a pound. 
  - price; cost: to cut rates on all home furnishings. 
  - degree of speed, progress, etc.: to work at a rapid rate. 
  - degree or comparative extent of action or procedure: the rate of increase in work output. 
  - relative condition or quality; grade, class, or sort.  
  - assigned position in any of a series of graded classes; rating.  
  - the premium charge per unit of insurance.  
  - a charge by a common carrier for transportation, sometimes including certain services involved in rendering such transportation.  
  - a wage paid on a specified time basis: a salary figured on an hourly rate. 
  - a charge or price established in accordance with a scale or standard: hotel rates based on length of stay. 
  - the relative adherence of a timepiece to perfect timekeeping, measured in terms of the amount of time gained or lost within a certain period.  
  - Usually,  
   -  a tax on property for some local purpose. 
  -  any tax assessed and paid to a local government, as any city tax or district tax. 
  
 -  It was a mediocre film, but at any rate there was one outstanding individual performance. 
   -  in any event; in any case. 
  -  at least:It was a mediocre film, but at any rate there was one outstanding individual performance. 
  
 
  
 —v.t.  - to estimate the value or worth of; appraise: to rate a student's class performance. 
  - to esteem, consider, or account: He was rated one of the best writers around. 
  - to fix at a certain rate, as of charge or payment.  
  - to value for purposes of taxation or the like.  
  - to make subject to the payment of a certain rate or tax.  
  - to place in a certain rank, class, etc., as a ship or a sailor; give a specific rating to.  
  - to be considered or treated as worthy of; merit: an event that doesn't even rate a mention in most histories of the period. 
  - to arrange for the conveyance of (goods) at a certain rate.  
  
  
 —v.i.  - to have value, standing, etc.: a performance that didn't rate very high in the competition. 
  - to have position in a certain class.  
  - to rank very high in estimation: The new teacher really rates with our class. 
  
  
 rate
  Pronunciation: (rāt), [key]    — rat•ed, rat•ing. 
  - to chide vehemently; scold.  
  
  Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.