rate1
n.
- a measure, quantity, or frequency:
the island has a very low crime rate.
- the speed with which something moves or happens.
- a fixed price paid or charged for something.
- the amount of a charge or payment expressed as a percentage of another amount, or as a basis of calculation.
-
(rates)
(in the UK) a tax on commercial land and buildings paid to a local authority; (in Northern Ireland and formerly in the UK) a tax on private property.
v.
- assign a standard or value to (something) according to a particular scale.
- assign a standard, optimal, or limiting rating to (a piece of equipment).
- consider to be of a certain quality or standard.
▸informal have a high opinion of.
▸be worthy of; merit.
- (in the UK) assess the value of (a property) for the purpose of levying rates.
Phrase
- at any rate
whatever happens or may have happened. - at this
(or that)
rate
if things continue in this or that way.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from med. L. rata (from L. pro rata parte (or portione) ‘according to the proportional share’), from ratus ‘reckoned’, past part. of reri.