From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rate \Rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Rating.]
1. To set a certain estimate on; to value at a certain price
or degree.
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To rate a man by the nature of his companions is a
rule frequent indeed, but not infallible. --South.
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You seem not high enough your joys to rate.
--Dryden.
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2. To assess for the payment of a rate or tax.
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3. To settle the relative scale, rank, position, amount,
value, or quality of; as, to rate a ship; to rate a
seaman; to rate a pension.
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4. To ratify. [Obs.] "To rate the truce." --Chapman.
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To rate a chronometer, to ascertain the exact rate of its
gain or loss as compared with true time, so as to make an
allowance or computation dependent thereon.
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Syn: To value; appraise; estimate; reckon.
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