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

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

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson Swanston Edition Vol. 6 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis

For instance, while others discuss and debate, It is thus about Bishops I ratiocinate.

From The Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore Collected by Himself with Explanatory Notes by Rossetti, William Michael

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 The Author's Craft by Bennett, Arnold

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

From Merry Men by Stevenson, Robert Louis