What is "pro rata"

Pro \Pro\, prep. [L.; akin to prae before, Gr. ?, and E. for. See For, prep., and cf. Prior, a.] A Latin preposition signifying for, before, forth.

Pro confesso [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a particular case which the pleading on the other side does not deny.

Pro rata. [L. See Prorate.] In proportion; proportion.

Pro re nata [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as matters are.

Pro rata \Pro` ra"ta\ [L.] In proportion; proportionately; according to the share, interest, or liability of each.

1570s, from Latin pro rata (parte) "according to the calculated (share)," from pro "for" (see pro-) + rata, ablative singular of ratus, past participle of reri "to count, reckon" (see rate (n.)).

adv. (context of an allocation English) In proportion to some factor that can be exactly calculated. alt. (context of an allocation English) In proportion to some factor that can be exactly calculated.

adv. in proportion [syn: proportionately]

Pro rata is an adverb or adjective, meaning in proportion. The term is used in many legal and economic contexts. It is sometimes spelled pro-rata, but this is technically a misspelling of the Latin phrase. In North American English this term has been vernacularized to prorated.