Definition of "rat" in Anglais

noun

1. (zoology) A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.

2. (informal) Any of the numerous members of several rodent families (e.g. voles and mice) that resemble true rats in appearance, usually having short limbs, a pointy snout, a long, hairless tail, and a body length greater than about 12 cm, or 5 inches.

3. (informal) A person who is known for betrayal.

   • Near-synonyms: rouge, scoundrel, snake; see also Thesaurus:villain
   • rat bastard
   • What a rat, leaving us stranded here!

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.

   • Our teenager has become a mall rat.
   • He loved hockey and was a devoted rink rat.

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, vulva.

   • Get your rat out.

10. (chiefly informal) Ellipsis of muskrat.

    • 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.

verb

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).

5. (intransitive, with on or out) To inform on someone; to betray someone to the police or authorities.

   • He ratted on his coworker.
   • He is going to rat us out!

noun

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

1. (regional) To scratch or score.

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

2. (regional, rare, obsolete) To tear, rip, rend.