—rat /ræt/
noun [C] (ANIMAL)
► A2 a small rodent, larger than a mouse, that has a long tail and is considered to be harmful: » Rats carry disease.» I think we've got rats (= there are rats in our house).Thesaurus+: ↑Rodents and similar animals• • •
Extra Examples:» Bottles of lemonade doctored with rat poison were discovered in the kitchen.» In biology classes at school we used to dissect rats.» The period of gestation of rats is 21 days.» The barn was infested with rats.» We put down some poisoned bait to kill the rats.noun [C] INFORMAL (PERSON)
► F0 an unpleasant person who deceives others or is not loyalThesaurus+: ↑People who reveal secrets and tell talesThesaurus+: ↑Unpleasant people in general , ↑Unpleasant men