Ratch"et (-t), n. [Properly a diminutive from the same word as rack:
cf. F. rochet. See 2d Ratch, Rack the instrument.] 1. A pawl, click, or
detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
2. A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See
Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch.
Ratchet brace (Mech.), a boring brace, having a ratchet wheel and pawl
for rotating the tool by back and forth movements of the brace handle.
-- Ratchet drill, a portable machine for working a drill by hand,
consisting of a hand lever carrying at one end a drill holder which is
revolved by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl, by swinging the lever
back and forth. -- Ratchet wheel (Mach.), a circular wheel having
teeth, usually angular, with which a reciprocating pawl engages to turn
the wheel forward, or a stationary pawl to hold it from turning
backward.
In the cut, the moving pawl c slides over the teeth in one direction,
but in returning, draws the wheel with it, while the pawl d prevents it
from turning in the contrary direction.
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Rate (rt), v. t. & i. [Perh. fr. E. rate, v. t., to value at a certain
rate, to estimate, but more prob. fr. Sw. rata to find fault, to blame,
to despise, to hold cheap; cf. Icel. hrat refuse, hrati rubbish.] To
chide with vehemence; to scold; to censure violently. Spenser.
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.
Rate, n. [OF., fr. L. rata (sc. pars), fr. ratus reckoned, fixed by
calculation, p. p. of reri to reckon, to calculate. Cf. Reason.] 1.
Established portion or measure; fixed allowance.
The one right feeble through the evil rate Of food which in her
duress she had found.
Spenser.
2. That which is established as a measure or criterion; degree;
standard; rank; proportion; ratio; as, a slow rate of movement; rate of
interest is the ratio of the interest to the principal, per annum.
Heretofore the rate and standard of wit was different from what it
is nowadays.
South.
In this did his holiness and godliness appear above the rate and
pitch of other men's, in that he was so . . . merciful.
Calamy.
Many of the horse could not march at that rate, nor come up soon
enough.
Clarendon.
3. Valuation; price fixed with relation to a standard; cost; charge;
as, high or low rates of transportation.
They come at dear rates from Japan.
Locke.
4. A tax or sum assessed by authority on property for public use,
according to its income or value; esp., in England, a local tax; as,
parish rates; town rates.