Rat - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Rat

  1. The first of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.

From Middle High German rāt, from Old High German rāt, from Proto-West Germanic *rād, from Proto-Germanic *rēdaz.

Cognate with Dutch raad, English rede and read (noun).

Rat m (strong, genitive Rates or Rats, plural Räte)

  1. advice, counsel
  2. council
  3. councilor, councillor
  4. (Germany) title of a Beamter ("Public servant") at the beginning of the senior service
  5. (Austria) title of a Beamter ("Public servant") in the senior service after first promotion

In terms of hierarchy, Räte are comparable to a Major or a Korvettenkapitän (Lieutenant Commander).

From Middle High German ratte, from Old High German ratta, perhaps from Proto-West Germanic *ratt, from Proto-Germanic *rattaz, though the consonantism in High German is unexplained.

Cognate with German Ratte, Dutch rat, English rat, Icelandic rotta.

Rat m or f (plural Raten)

  1. rat