Definitions for the word "rat" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. n.
One of several species of small rodents of the genus Mus and allied genera, larger than mice, that infest houses, stores, and ships, especially the Norway, or brown, rat (M. decumanus), the black rat (M. rattus), and the roof rat (M. Alexandrinus). These were introduced into America from the Old World.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. n.
A round and tapering mass of hair, or similar material, used by women to support the puffs and rolls of their natural hair.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. n.
One who deserts his party or associates; hence, in the trades, one who works for lower wages than those prescribed by a trades union.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. v. i.
In English politics, to desert one's party from interested motives; to forsake one's associates for one's own advantage; in the trades, to work for less wages, or on other conditions, than those established by a trades union.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. v. i.
To catch or kill rats.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
1 a rodent like a large mouse. B similar rodent (muskrat; water-rat). 2 turncoat. 3 colloq. Unpleasant or treacherous person. 4 (in pl.) Slang exclamation of annoyance etc. v. (-tt-) 1 hunt or kill rats. 2 (also foll. By on) inform (on); desert, betray. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
7. slang
a sneak, an informer, a turn-coat, one who changes his party for
interest. The late Sir Robert Peel was called the RAT, or the TAMWORTH
RATCATCHER, for altering his views on the Roman Catholic question. From
RATS deserting vessels about to sink. The term is often used amongst
printers to denote one who works under price. Old cant for a clergyman.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
8. slang
TO SMELL A, to suspect something, to guess that there is
something amiss.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
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