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rat’s nest
rat’s tail cactus
rat snake
rat-tail
rat-tat
rata
ratable
ratables
ratafia
rataplan
ratatouille
ratchet
ratchet wheel
rate
rate cap
rate constant
rate differential
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ration

ra·tion [ rásh'n, ráysh'n ]


noun  (plural ra·tions)
Definition:
 
1. fixed amount allocated to somebody: a fixed and limited amount of something, especially food, given or allocated to a person or group from the stocks available, especially during a time of shortage or a war

2. adequate amount: the amount of something that it seems fair or desirable for somebody to have
more than your ration of bad luck



plural noun ra·tions 
Definition:
 
amount of food officially allocated: food, especially an amount of food from a limited stock allocated to somebody such as a soldier or hiker



transitive verb  (past and past participle ra·tioned, present participle ra·tion·ing, 3rd person present singular ra·tions)
Definition:
 
1. restrict available amount of something: to restrict the amount of something, usually a commodity in short supply, that somebody is allowed to buy, consume, or use
Gasoline was rationed, so long trips were out of the question.

2. limit quantity available to somebody: to allow somebody only a limited quantity of something
rationed herself to one cup of coffee a day

[Early 18th century. Via French< Spanish ración< Latin ratio (see ratio)]
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