Definition of rats

The word "rats" has an interesting etymology that dates back to Old English times. The Old English word for rat was "rāta," which likely derived from the Old Norse word "rattr," meaning "one who rubs or gnaws." This refers to the rat's natural inclination to gnaw and chew on various materials, such as wood, plastic, and even electrical wires, leading to damage and inconvenience for humans. The Old English word "rāta" evolved into Middle English "ratte," and the spelling of the word became "rattes" in Early Modern English. In Britain, "ratte" eventually became "rat" around the 17th century, and the plural form became "rats" in the 18th century. Interestingly, the word "rat" initially referred to just one species, the common rat (Rattus norvegicus), but as other rat species were identified and name, people began using the plural form "rats" to refer to all of them. Today, the term "rats" is used to describe various rat species, such as brown rats, black rats, and house rats. In summary, the word "rats" derives from the Old English word "rāta," which means "one who rubs or gnaws." This early reference to the propensity for rats to gnaw and chew objects led to the development of the word "rats," which today serves as a collective term for several species of rats.