Dictionary.com

ratiocinate

[ rash-ee-os-uh-neyt, -oh-suh-, rat-ee- ]
/ ˌræʃ iˈɒs əˌneɪt, -ˈoʊ sə-, ˌræt i- /
Save This Word!

verb (used without object), ra·ti·oc·i·nat·ed, ra·ti·oc·i·nat·ing.
to reason; carry on a process of reasoning.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of ratiocinate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM ratiocinate

ra·ti·oc·i·na·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ratiocinate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ratiocinate

ratiocinate
/ (ˌrætɪˈɒsɪˌneɪt) /

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

Derived forms of ratiocinate

ratiocination, nounratiocinative, adjectiveratiocinator, noun

Word Origin for ratiocinate

C17: from Latin ratiōcinārī to calculate, from ratiō reason
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK