King James Bible Dictionary

RATE, noun [Latin ratus, reor, contracted from retor, redor, or resor. See Ratio and Reason.]

1. The proportion or standard by which quantity or value is adjusted; as silver valued at the rate of six shillings and eight pence the ounce.

The rate and standard of wit was different then from what it is in these days.

2. Price or amount stated or fixed on any thing. A king may purchase territory at too dear a rate The rate of interest is prescribed by law.

3. Settled allowance; as a daily rate of provisions. 2 Kings 25:30.

4. Degree; comparative height or value.

I am a spirit of no common rate

In this did his holiness and godliness apear above the rate and pitch of other men's, in that he was so infintely merciful.

5. Degree in which any thing is done. the ship sails at the rate of seven knots an hour.

Many of the horse could not march at that rate nor come lup soon enough.

6. Degree of value; price. Wheat in England is often sold at the rate of fifty shillings the quarter. wit may be purchased at too dear a rate

7. a tax or sum assessed by authority on property for public use, according to its income or value; as parish rates; town rates; highway rates.

8. In the navy, the order or class of a ship, according to its magnitude or force. Ships of the first rate mount a hundred guns or upwards; those of the second rate carry from 90 to 98 guns; those of the third rate carry from 64 to 80 guns; those of the fourth rate from 50 to 60 guns; those of the fifth rate from 32 to 44 guns; those of the sixth rate from 20 to 30 guns. Those of the two latter rates are called frigates.

RATE, verb transitive

1. To set a certain value on; to value at a certain price or degree of excellence.

You seem not high enough your joys to rate

Instead of rating the man by his performances, we too frequently rate the performance by the man.

2. To fix the magnitude, force or order, as of ships. A ship is rated in the first class, or as a ship of the line.

RATE, verb intransitive

1. To be set or considered in a class, as a ship. The ship rates as a ship of the line.

2. To make an estimate.

RATE, verb transitive [See Read. It is probably allied to rattle, and perhaps to Latin rudo.]

To chide with vehemence; to reprove; to scold; to censure violently.

Go, rate thy minions, proud insulting boy.

An old lord of the council rated me the other day in the street about you, sir.

RA'TED, participle passive

1. Set at a certain value; estimated; set in a certain order or rank.

2. Chid; reproved.

RA'TER, noun One who sets a value on or makes an estimate.