n.
   - a rodent resembling a large, long-tailed mouse, typically considered a serious pest. 
[Rattus norvegicus (brown rat), R. rattus (black or ship rat), and many other species.]
 - informal a despicable person. 
▸an informer.
 - N. Amer. informal a person who is associated with or frequents a specified place:
 a mall rat.
 
exclam.
 
(
rats)
 
informal expressing mild annoyance.
v.
 (rats, ratting, ratted)
   - hunt or kill rats.
 - informal desert one's party, side, or cause. 
▸
(rat on)
 break (an agreement or promise).
 - 
(rat on or N. Amer. also rat someone out)
 informal inform on (someone).
 
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  OE ræt, prob. of Romance origin; reinforced in ME by OFr. rat.