rata
C2Formal, legal, financial; chiefly historical in British English. Still current in specific dialects and financial contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An amount or sum, especially of money, that is repeated at regular intervals (e.g., a regular payment, installment).
A fixed, established rate or portion; sometimes used informally to refer to a person's regular share or portion in a collective expense.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a fixed, pre-determined amount paid periodically. In some contexts (e.g., NZ/Aus), can refer to a local property tax. The sense of a 'regular portion' can be abstract (e.g., 'his rata of blame').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, largely archaic outside of specific financial/legal contexts or fixed phrases. More likely found in historical texts or law. In American English, very rare; 'installment' or 'payment' is standard. The term sees more sustained use in Scottish English and in countries like New Zealand and South Africa.
Connotations
British: formal, possibly antiquated, precise. American: unfamiliar, potentially confusing. In NZ English: neutral, administrative (referring to local council tax).
Frequency
Very low frequency in both major varieties. Higher frequency in Scottish, NZ, and SA English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[pay/v.] + [determiner] + rata[be assessed at] + [a] + [adj.] + rata[divide/allocate] + [obj.] + in + rata sharesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pay one's rata (share)”
- “on the rata (system)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The subscription fee is payable in monthly rata.
Academic
The feudal levy was collected as a rata on each hide of land.
Everyday
We all chipped in our rata for the office gift.
Technical
The depreciation was calculated on a pro rata basis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The land was subject to an annual rata payable to the crown.
- He paid his rata towards the club's expenses.
American English
- (Rare) The contract specified a quarterly rata for use of the equipment.
- (Historical) Each settler owed a rata of produce.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The fee can be paid in four equal rata over the year.
- Everyone must contribute their rata for the communal lunch.
- The council's funding was apportioned on a per capita rata.
- Legally, the debt was recoverable in monthly rata as specified in the covenant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'RATA' as 'Regular Amount Taken Annually' (or periodically).
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION IS APPORTIONING FIXED SHARES (e.g., 'his rata of responsibility').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend: 'rata' (рата) is not related to the Russian word for 'rate' (ставка) or 'rat' (крыса). It is a Latin borrowing meaning 'calculated share'. Avoid confusing with 'rate'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rata' as a synonym for 'rate' in the sense of speed (incorrect). Using it in everyday American English where 'installment' is expected. Spelling confusion with 'rate'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'rata' most likely to be used correctly today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare in contemporary general English, especially in American English. It is primarily found in specific legal, financial, or historical contexts, and in varieties like New Zealand English (for local tax).
'Rata' alone means a fixed, proportional share or installment. 'Pro rata' is a Latin phrase meaning 'in proportion' and is much more common. It is used as an adjective or adverb (e.g., a pro rata share, payments made pro rata).
No, 'rata' is solely a noun in English. The related concept of dividing proportionally is expressed by the phrase 'apportion pro rata' or simply 'prorate'.
New Zealand (for local property tax, often 'rates'), Scotland (in legal/financial contexts), and South Africa. It is largely obsolete in everyday British and American English.