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.