ratiocinate

English

Pronunciation

• (GenAm) IPA: /ˌrætiˈosəˌneɪt/, /ˌræʃiˈɑsəˌneɪt/, X-SAMPA: /%rAti"os@%net/, /%rASi"Os@%net/

Verb

ratiocinate (third-person singular simple present ratiocinates, present participle ratiocinating, simple past and past participle ratiocinated)

1. To use the powers of the mind logically and methodically; to reason.
   • 1887, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Treasure of Franchard, ch. 6:

     "Observe the relative position," returned the Doctor with a smile. "It is your attitude to believe through thick and thin in one man's judgment—your own. I follow the same opinion, but critically and with open eyes. Which is the more irrational—I leave it to yourself."

     "Oh, my dear fellow!" cried Casimir, " . . . [D]on't rationate with me."

Related terms

• ratiocination

Latin

Participle

ratiōcināte

1. vocative masculine singular of ratiōcinātus