rate

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis

   a 10-minute phone call at that rate would cost $5

2. 2
   noun

   a quantity or amount or measure considered as a proportion of another quantity or amount or measure

   the literacy rate

3. 3
   noun

   a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit

   they traveled at a rate of 55 miles per hour

4. 4
   verb

   estimate the value of

   How would you rate their chances to become President?

5. 5
   verb

   be worthy of or have a certain rating

   This bond rates highly

6. 6
   noun

   The worth of something; value.

   There shall no figure at such rate be set, / As that of true and faithfull Iuliet.

7. 7
   noun

   The proportional relationship between one amount, value etc. and another.

   At the height of his powers, he was producing pictures at the rate of four a year.

8. 8
   noun

   Speed.

   The car was speeding down here at a hell of a rate.

Etymology

From Middle English raten (“to scold, chide”), from Old Norse hrata (“to refuse, reject, slight, find fault with”), from Proto-Germanic *hratōną (“to sway, shake”), from Proto-Indo-European *krad- (“to swing”). Cognate with Swedish rata (“to reject, refuse, find fault, slight”), Norwegian rata (“to reject, cast aside”), Old English hratian (“to rush, hasten”).