rational¹ /rashˈə-nəl/

1. Of the reason
2. Endowed with reason
3. Agreeable to reason
4. Sane
5. Intelligent
6. Judicious
7. Commensurable with natural numbers

1. A rational being or quantity
2. (in pl) rational dress, ie knickerbockers instead of skirts for women (historical)

rationale /rash-ə-nälˈ/ noun

1. Underlying principle
2. A rational account
3. A theoretical explanation or solution

ratˈionalism noun

1. A system of belief regulated by reason, not authority
2. A disposition to apply to religious doctrines the same critical methods as to science and history, and to attribute all phenomena to natural rather than miraculous causes

ratˈionalist noun

rationalistˈic adjective

rationalistˈically adverb

rationality /rash-ən-alˈi-ti/ noun

1. The quality of being rational
2. The possession or due exercise of reason
3. Reasonableness

rationalization or rationalisation /rash-nəl-ī-zāˈshən/ noun

ratˈionalize or ratˈionalise transitive verb

1. To make rational
2. To free from irrational quantities
3. To conform to reason
4. To reorganize scientifically
5. To interpret rationalistically
6. To substitute conscious reasoning for unconscious motivation in explaining
7. To organize (an industry) so as to achieve greater efficiency and economy

1. To think or argue rationally or rationalistically
2. To employ reason, rationalism or rationalization

ratˈionalizer or ratˈionaliser noun

ratˈionally adverb

rational dress noun (historical)

Knickerbockers for women instead of skirts

rational horizon see under horizon

• spoolers
• spooling
• spools
• spoom
• spooming
• spoon
• spoonbait
• spoonbaits
• spoonbill
• spoonbills
• spoondrift
• spoondrifts
• spooned
• spoonerism
• spoonerisms
• spooney
• spooneys
• spoon-fed
• spoonfed
• spoon-feed
• spoon-feeding
• spoon-feeds
• spoonful
• spoonfuls
• spoonhook