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subrational

[ suhb-rash-uh-nl ]

adjective

  1. less than or almost rational.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of subrational1

First recorded in 1860–65; sub- + rational
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Example Sentences

He once wrote a letter to a scientist friend—summarized in this 2002 profile of him from New York magazine—that’s ostensibly about termite society, but what it really describes, with uncanny insight, are the sticky, subrational alliances of the puerile ultra-rich.

From Slate

It does not make so much difference if the thoroughly rational individual occasionally escapes punishment for something done, but whenever the subrational escapes, he is encouraged to do it again.

So far as possible, punishment must inevitably follow crime in the world, in order to impress the subrational and deter them from yielding to impulses.

It is for the subrational that we most need to insist on punishment.

For the subrational such a sentence, if known to be inevitable, would usually be more deterrent than even imprisonment in an ordinary prison for life with all the possibilities for freedom which are presented by executive clemency, pardoning boards, and the like.

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