Etymology Map
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Rate

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means a measure of speed or cost

Where does the word "rate" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin rata, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
rata
Medieval Latin · medieval
"fixed"
from 'pro rata parte', according to a fixed part
2
Stage 2 of 3
rate
Old French · medieval
"value, price"
a fixed amount
3
Stage 3 of 3
rate
English · 1400s
"value"
'first-rate' comes from the ranking of warships
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Read the full story

Rate’s story begins in Medieval Latin: rata meant “fixed.” From 'pro rata parte', according to a fixed part. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as rate. A fixed amount. It reached English by 1400s as rate. 'first-rate' comes from the ranking of warships. Today, rate means a measure of speed or cost.