Rate
Etymology
From Latin “rata” in the phrase “pro rata parte” (according to a fixed part), from “reri” (to reckon) — the same root that gives “ratio” and “reason.” English adopted it in the 15th century for a reckoned or fixed amount.
noun · /RAYT/
A quantity measured against another, usually per unit of time or population, such as speed or infections per 100,000.
What it names
It captures how fast or how densely something occurs, which is often what matters more than the bare count.
Example
The crime rate can fall even as the number of crimes rises, if the population grows faster still.
Related idea
Confusing a rate with a level fuels bad arguments: when inflation (a rate) merely slows, prices (a level) are still climbing, just less quickly — deceleration is not reversal.
verb · /RAYT/
To assign a value, rank, or level of quality to something; to regard as having a certain worth.
What it names
the act of judging or ranking
Example
Critics rated the film among the year’s best.
Related idea
Related to but distinct from the noun — here rating is an act of appraisal. Compare percentile and par.