ratiocinate

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

verb (used without object)

ratiocinated, ratiocinating 

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

ratiocinate

/ ˌrætɪˈɒsɪˌneɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• ratiocinator noun
• ratiocination noun
• ratiocinative adjective

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.

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

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

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

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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.

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