ratiocinate
English
Etymology
. From Latin ratiocinor (“to reckon, argue”). First appears c. 1643 in the writings of Kenelm Digby.
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌɹætiˈosəˌneɪt/, /ˌɹæʃiˈɑsəˌneɪt/
Verb
ratiocinate (third-person singular simple present ratiocinates, present participle ratiocinating, simple past and past participle ratiocinated)
- (transitive, intransitive) To use the powers of the mind logically and methodically; to reason.
- 1887, Robert Louis Stevenson, chapter 6, in The Treasure of Franchard:
- "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, " […] don't ratiocinate with me."
Related terms
Latin
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