Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RATE, n. [Norm. rate; L. 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. – South.
2. Price or amount stated or 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 xxv.
4. Degree; comparative highth or value. I am a spirit of no common rate. – Shak. In this did his holiness and godliness appear above the rate and pitch of other men's, in that he was so infinitely merciful. – Calamy.
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 up soon enough. – Clarendon.
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 upward; 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. – Mar. Dict.