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larger than mice, that infest houses, stores, and ships, especially the Norway, or brown, rat (M. Alexandrinus). These were introduced into Anerica from the Old World.

Like a rat's tale in form; as, a rat-tail file, which is round, slender, and tapering. See Illust. of File.

Having a long, tapering tail like that of a rat. Rat-tailed larva (Zoöl.), the larva of a fly of the genus Eristalis. See Eristalis. -- Rat-tailed serpent (Zoöl.), the fer-de-lance. -- Rat-tailed shrew (Zoöl.), the musk shrew.

A New Zealand forest tree (Metrosideros robusta), also, its hard dark red wood, used by the Maoris for paddles and war clubs.

The quality or state of being ratable.

Capable of being rated, or set at a certain value. Twenty oræ were ratable to [at] two marks of silver. Camden.

d with sugar; -- a term applied to the liqueurs called noyau, curaçao, etc. [Written also ratifia and ratafee.]

See Rattan.

Same as Rhatany.

The iterative sound of beating a drum, or of a galloping horse.

A ratchet wheel, or notched bar, with which a pawl or chick works.

Gravelly stone. [Prov. Eng.]

A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.

To chide with vehemence; to scold; to censure violently. Spencer. Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy! Shak. Conscience is a check to beginners in sin, reclaiming them from it, and rating them for it. Barrow.

See Ratable.

Any carnivore of the genus Mellivora, allied to the weasels and the skunks; -- called also honey badger.

One who pays rates or taxes.

One who rates or estimates.

Same as Rat-tail.

A hill or mound. [Ireland] Spencer.