r-rated
UK[ˈɑː reɪtɪd]US[ˈɑːr reɪtɪd]
adj
(of a film) having a restriction that prohibits children under a certain age (usually 17) from viewing unless accompanied by an adult, due to the presence of strong language, violence, or adult themes.
Morpheme Breakdown
R
rated
R
rating
rated
evaluated
Etymology
The term 'R-rated' is a direct product of the modern American film classification system established by the Motion Picture Association (MPA). The 'R' is not a traditional morpheme but an initialism standing for 'Restricted', indicating a content-based limitation. The word 'rated' comes from the verb 'to rate', meaning to assign a value or classification. Thus, the compound literally means 'classified with the Restriction label', a concise bureaucratic shorthand that evolved into a common cultural descriptor for mature content in cinema.
Analysis
Structure: R (rating) + rated (evaluated)
R is an initialism from the English word 'Restricted', used as a specific classification label. 'Rated' is from the verb 'rate', of Old French and ultimately Latin origin (ratus, meaning 'reckoned' or 'judged'), functioning as a past participle meaning 'evaluated' or 'classified'.
Examples
The film's intense violence and graphic language earned it an R-rated classification.
Many theaters strictly enforce the policy that no one under 17 can see an R-rated movie without a parent or guardian.
The director had to edit several scenes to avoid an R-rated and secure a more commercially viable PG-13 rating.