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rats

/ɹæts/

noun

Meaning

  • A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.

  • 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.

  • A person who is known for betrayal; a scoundrel; a quisling.

    "What a rat, leaving us stranded here!"

  • An informant or snitch.

  • A scab: a worker who acts against trade union policies.

  • A person who routinely spends time at a particular location.

    "He loved hockey and was a devoted rink rat."

  • A wad of shed hair used as part of a hairstyle.

  • A roll of material used to puff out the hair, which is turned over it.

  • Vagina.

    "Get your rat out."

  • Short for muskrat.

Synonyms

stool pigeon,
traitor

verb

Meaning

  • (usually with “on” or “out”) To betray a person or party, especially by telling their secret to an authority or an enemy; to turn someone in.

    "He is going to rat us out!"

  • To work as a scab, going against trade union policies.

  • (of a dog, etc.) To kill rats.

Synonyms

bewray,
finger,
put the finger on,
tell on

noun

Meaning

  • A scratch or a score.

  • A place in the sea with rapid currents and crags where a ship is likely to be torn apart in stormy weather.

verb

Meaning

  • To scratch or score.

    "He ratted a vertical line on his face with a pocket knife."

  • To tear, rip, rend.

    "Ratted to shreds."

  • Damn, drat, blast; used in oaths.

noun

Meaning

  • A ration.

interjection

Meaning

  • Expression of annoyance or disgust; damn, darn.

  • Expression of disbelief.