ratiocinate

American  

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

verb (used without object)

ratiocinated, ratiocinating

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

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ratiocinate British  

/ ˌrætɪˈɒsɪˌneɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• ratiocination noun
• ratiocinative adjective
• ratiocinator noun

Etymology

Origin of ratiocinate

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

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

If one is struck by the magnificence of the great towns of the Continent, one should ratiocinate, and conclude that a major characteristic of the great towns of England is their shabby and higgledy-piggledy slovenliness.

From Project Gutenberg