ratiocinate

[ rash-ee-os-uh-neyt, -oh-suh-, rat-ee- ]

verb (used without object)

, ra·ti·oc·i·nat·ed, ra·ti·oc·i·nat·ing.

1. to reason; carry on a process of reasoning.

ratiocinate

/ ˌrætɪˈɒsɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. intr to think or argue logically and methodically; reason

Derived Forms

• ˌratiˈociˌnator, noun
• ˌratiˌociˈnation, noun
• ˌratiˈocinative, adjective

Other Words From

• rati·oci·nator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratiocinate¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ratiōcinātus, past participle of ratiōcinārī “to reckon, calculate, conclude,” verbal derivative of ratiō “reason”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratiocinate¹

C17: from Latin ratiōcinārī to calculate, from ratiō reason

Example Sentences

And then there was silence, deep and impressive, while everybody got his "ratiocinating apparatus," as the Parson called it, to work.

From Project Gutenberg

Under this revelation of personality acting in utter disregard of the person—of any wish or will of the ratiocinating individual—she rested breathless.

From Project Gutenberg

The German, however, is articulate and ratiocinating where we are more purely instinctive.

From Project Gutenberg

But don’t ratiocinate with me—I cannot bear it.

From Project Gutenberg

To see facts, not to argue or raisonniren, was what life meant for him; and I think he often positively loathed the ratiocinating type of mind.

From Project Gutenberg