Definition of "rat"

rat¹

/ɹæt/

noun
plural rats
1. (zoology) A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.
  Quotations
  Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads.
  2013 May-June, Charles T. Ambrose, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 200
2. (informal) Any of the numerous members of several rodent families (e.g. voles and mice) that resemble true rats in appearance, usually having a pointy snout, a long, bare tail, and body length greater than about 12 cm, or 5 inches.
3. (informal) A person who is known for betrayal; a scoundrel; a quisling.
  Quotations
  He’s more a man than any pair of rats of you in this here house.
  1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London, Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883
4. (informal) An informant or snitch.
5. (informal) A scab: a worker who acts against trade union policies.
6. (slang) A person who routinely spends time at a particular location.
7. A wad of shed hair used as part of a hairstyle.
8. A roll of material used to puff out the hair, which is turned over it.
9. (UK, north-west London, slang, vulgar) Vagina.
10. (chiefly informal) Short for muskrat.
  Quotations
  The price of rats began to rise and soon after the marsh froze over, spearing rats began, which was done with a one tine three-eighths inch steel rod, with a wooden handle […]
  1910, L. W. Pierce, “Muskrats are fast disappearing”, in Hunter-trader-trapper, page 70
  Where natural marshes, or natural foods are found, are best places for raising muskrats. Louisiana and other southern states raise millions of rats, but they do not bring as good prices as northern raised ones. Delaware and Maryland have famed marshes. Other states are becoming noted for muskrat raising, also.
  1929, E. J. Dailey, in Hardings Magazine's Question Box, printed in Fur Fish Game, page 73
verb
third-person singular simple present rats, present participle ratting, simple past and past participle ratted
1. (of a dog, etc.) To hunt or kill rats.
2. (intransitive) To betray a political party, cause or principle; to betray someone, to desert a person or thing.
3. (informal, intransitive) To work as a scab, going against trade union policies.
4. (chiefly US) To backcomb (hair).
  Quotations
  In 1962, the higher a girl's hair was ratted the more available she was, it was simply understood.
  2021, Rickie Lee Jones, Last Chance Texaco, Grove Press, published 2022, page 31
5. (intransitive, with on or out) To inform on someone; to betray someone to the police or authorities.

rat²

/ɹæt/

noun
plural rats
1. (regional) A scratch or a score.
2. (nautical, regional) A place in the sea with rapid currents and crags where a ship is likely to be torn apart in stormy weather.
verb
third-person singular simple present rats, present participle ratting, simple past and past participle ratted
1. (regional) To scratch or score.
2. (regional, rare, obsolete) To tear, rip, rend.
3. Damn, drat, blast; used in oaths.
  Quotations
  “But, rat me, sir,” cried Foster in bewilderment, “tis too generous—'pon honour it is. I can't consent to it. No, rat me, I can't.”
  1904, Rafael Sabatini, chapter XXVI, in The Tavern Knight

rat³

/ɹæt/

noun
plural rats
1. (military, slang) A ration.
  Quotations
  With regards to the testing of his product, the initial blood analysis had come back confirming huge, distinctive nutritional superiority for Stewart's military ration pack. Given that the policy of the British Army is to be fully ready for war at the drop of a hat, he was sitting on the potential of supplying new rats for the entire army […]
  2014, John, Buffoon, page 243

Definition of "rat"

rat1

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rat2

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rat3

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rat¹

rat²

rat³