ratter en · NOUN
Etymology
From rat + -er.
Meanings
-
Anything which catches rats, especially a dog trained to catch them.
Grey cat called Snooky who was a good ratter even with his balls cut off.
1963, J P Donleavy, A Singular Man, published 1963 (USA), pages 90–91:
- Anything which catches rats, especially a dog trained to catch them. ▸ A rat dog.
- Anything which catches rats, especially a dog trained to catch them. ▸ A rat dog. ▸ A rat terrier.
- One who rats; a traitor; a deserter.
- A pirate miner, a miner who digs out ore or paydirt clandestinely and runs
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| rattener | alternative | lexicographic | |
| ratters | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Coordinates
ratcatcher · recreant · coward · traitor · ratter · treasonist · rat · snake · stool pigeon · mouser · tunnel rat · cockatrice · miner · serpent · treacherer · turncoat · swike · wolf in sheep's clothing · mouser · betrayer · treacher · ratcatcher · turntippet · renegade · withersake · double-crosser · backstabber · mouser · quisling · pirate · ratcatcher · snake in the grass