rātns

• (dialectal form) rātens

From the verb rāt (“to scold”), apparently +‎ -ens, given the dialectal form rātens, of which rātns is a variant.[1]

• IPA^(key): [ɾāːtns]

rātns (definite rātnais, comparative rātnāks, superlative visrātnākais, adverb rātni)

1. (of people, usually children) obedient, well-behaved (who does not do mischief, who obeys, who is quiet, calm)

   rātni bērni, skolēni ― obedient children, schoolchildren

   Pēterītis ir rātns, prot koncentrēties, spēj ilgi un mierīgi darboties savā nodabā ar kādu rotaļlietu ― Little Peter is obedient and able to focus, he can be busy by himself long and quietly with some toy

2. (of behavior) obedient (expressing such qualities)

   rātna uzvedība ― obedient behavior

3. (of animals) calm, tame, docile

   gotiņas mīļās, esiet nu rātnas, esiet paklausīgas! atļaujiet man jūs izslaukt! ― dearest little cows, be docile, be obedient! let me milk you!

4. (of people) calm, well-behaved, polite, peaceful, not reckless

   tagad viņš bija kļuvis rātns, strādāja Rīgā, par plēšanos ar priekšniekiem vairs nedomāja ― now he had become calm, well-behaved, he worked in Rīga, he no longer thought about fighting with the bosses

   Šī sieviete bija velnišķīgi skaista un iekārojama. Valters noliecās un noskūpstīja viņai pieri. “Valter, jūs taču solījāties būt rātns!” ― this woman was damned beautiful and desirable. Valters leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Valters, but you promised to be well-behaved!”

5. (of behavior, attitudes) calm, well-behaved, polite, peaceful, not reckless (expressing such qualities)

   viņas domas bija mierīgas, rātnas ― her thoughts were calm, well-behaved

   acīs Jorenam dzirksteļoja cieta briga, bet mute piespiezdamās teica ļoti rātnus vārdus ― a strong will sparkled in Jorens' eyes, but (his) tightly pressed mouth said very calm, polite words

• nerātns

• nerātns, nerātnis, nerātnība
• rātnums, rātnība