rater
UK: ˈreɪtə | US: ˈreɪtər
n. a person or thing that rates or evaluates something
n. (historical) a type of small sailing vessel
The word "rater" combines the verb "rate" (from Old French rater, meaning "to estimate or judge") with the agentive suffix "-er" (from Old English -ere), denoting someone who performs an action. The verb "rate" itself traces back to Latin ratus (calculated/fixed), reflecting the idea of assigning value or rank. The suffix "-er" is a productive morpheme in English, consistently used to form nouns indicating agents (e.g., "teacher," "writer").
The film critic is a harsh rater, rarely giving movies full stars.
Online shoppers often rely on product raters to make informed decisions.
As a rater of employee performance, she ensures fair evaluations.
The 18th-century rater was primarily used for coastal trade.
The app allows users to become raters by reviewing local businesses.