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rate,n.1. Proportional or relative value; the proportion by which quantity or value is adjusted <rate of inflation>.2. An amount paid or charged for a good or service <the rate for a business-class fare is $550>. class rate.A single rate applying to the transportation of several articles of the same general character. [Cases: Carriers 189. C.J.S.…

ratchet theory.Constitutional law. The principle that Congress, in exercising its enforcement power under the 14th Amendment, can increase but not dilute the scope of 14th Amendment guarantees as previously defined by the Supreme Court. • The thought underlying the term is that the enabling clause works in only one direction, like a ratchet. The theory…

ratable (ray-t<<schwa>>-b<<schwa>>l), adj.1. Proportionate <ratable distribution>.2. Capable of being estimated, appraised, or apportioned < because hundreds of angry fans ran onto the field at the same time, blame for the goalpost’s destruction is not ratable>.3. Taxable <the government assessed the widow’s ratable estate>. See PRO RATA. [Blacks Law 8th]

  rat.Slang. See STOOL PIGEON(1). [Blacks Law 8th]

rasure (ray-zh<<schwa>>r).1. The scraping or shaving of a document’s surface to remove the writing from it; erasure. 2. Obliteration. — rase,vb. [Blacks Law 8th]

RAR.abbr.REVENUE AGENT’S REPORT. [Blacks Law 8th]

rapuit (rap-yoo-it). [Latin] Hist. Ravished. • The term was formerly used in indictments for rape. See RAVISHMENT. [Blacks Law 8th]

raptu virginum (rap-t[y]oo v<<schwa>>r-ji-n<<schwa>>m). See DE RAPTU VIRGINUM. [Blacks Law 8th]

rapture.Archaic. 1. Forcible seizure and carrying off of another person (esp. a woman); abduction. 2.RAPE(1). See RAPUIT. [Blacks Law 8th]

raptu haeredis (rap-t[y]oo h<<schwa>>-ree-dis), n.[Latin] Hist. A writ for taking away an heir held in socage. See SOCAGE. [Blacks Law 8th]