rata

Forms

rata f (genitive ratae); first declension^[1] Also spelled rada.^[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin ratus (“fixed, settled”), the past participle of reor (“to reckon, think”), in the feminine and used as a noun with pars (“part”) understood.^[1][3][4] Köbler leaves the origin of the medieval noun open.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first records to the 9th century, as a share in a common right or in a tax.^[2]

Semantic evolution

In medieval documents it meant first a proportion, in the phrases secundum ratam and pro rata “in proportion to”, then a share in the use of common land and a person's assessed share of a tax.^[1] A Flemish chronicle uses it alone for the share each person had to contribute,^[5] and Ecclesiastical Latin keeps the senses “rate, fixed amount” and pro rata “proportionately”.^[6]

English took rate in the early 15th century, partly from this Medieval Latin word.^[4]

Timeline

• 9th century – First records, as a share in a common right or a tax.^[2]
• early 15th century – English rate is formed partly from Medieval Latin rata.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A proportion;^[1][6] secundum ratam, pro rata: in proportion to.^[1][6]
2. (Medieval Latin) A share in the use of common land.^[1]
3. (Medieval Latin) A share of a tax, an assessment.^[1]
4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A rate, fixed amount.^[6]

Related words

• English rate

Usage notes

Köbler lists a separate Medieval Latin rata “raft”, from ratis, recorded in 1340.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
6. ^ a b c d Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson