rat: Meaning and Definition of

rat

1. any of several long-tailed rodents of the family Muridae, of the genus Rattus and related genera, distinguished from the mouse by being larger.
2. any of various similar or related animals.
3. a scoundrel.
1. a person who abandons or betrays his or her party or associates, esp. in a time of trouble.
2. an informer.
3. a scab laborer.
5. a person who frequents a specified place: mall rat; gym rat.
6. a pad with tapered ends formerly used in women's hair styles to give the appearance of greater thickness.
7. to suspect or surmise treachery; have suspicion: After noting several discrepancies in his client's story, the attorney began to smell a rat.

1. (an exclamation of disappointment, disgust, or disbelief.)

1. He ratted on the gang, and the police arrested them.
1. to desert one's party or associates, esp. in a time of trouble.
2. to turn informer; squeal:He ratted on the gang, and the police arrested them.
3. to work as a scab.
2. to hunt or catch rats.

1. to dress (the hair) with or as if with a rat.