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   rat

   /rat/

   noun

   • 1. a rodent that resembles a large mouse, typically having a pointed snout and a long tail. Some kinds have become cosmopolitan and are sometimes responsible for transmitting diseases.
   • 2. a despicable person, especially a man who has been deceitful or disloyal: informal, derogatory "her rat of a husband cheated on her" Similar scoundrelwretchrogueinformal:beastpigcreeplousesnakesnake in the grassbumlowlifescumbagheelskunkweaselscroterat finksleeveendingoderogatory:bastarddogdirty dogderogatory, informal:swineinformal, dated:cadrotterboundervulgar slang:shit
   • ▪ an informer: "he became the most famous rat in mob history" Similar informerbetrayerstool pigeoninformal:snitchfingersquealernosegrasssupergrassnarksnouttoutfinkstooliefizgigpimpshelfarchaic:intelligencerbeagle
   • 3. a person who is associated with or frequents a specified place: informal North American "LA mall rats"
   • 4. a pad used to give shape and fullness to a woman's hair. US

   exclamation

   • 1. used to express mild annoyance or irritation. informal

   verb

   • 1. hunt or kill rats: "we would always take a terrier when we fished and the terrier ratted away"
   • 2. desert one's party, side, or cause: informal "many of the clans rallied to his support, others ratted and joined the King's forces"
   • 3. shape (hair) with a special pad. US

   Word Origin Old Englishræt, probably of Romance origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French rat. The verb dates from the early 19th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. ratlike adjective

   Scrabble Points: 3

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

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