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rational

 - 6 dictionary results

ra⋅tion⋅al

  [rash-uh-nl, rash-nl]
Use rational in a Sentence
–adjective
1. agreeable to reason; reasonable; sensible: a rational plan for economic development.
2. having or exercising reason, sound judgment, or good sense: a calm and rational negotiator.
3. being in or characterized by full possession of one's reason; sane; lucid: The patient appeared perfectly rational.
4. endowed with the faculty of reason: rational beings.
5. of, pertaining to, or constituting reasoning powers: the rational faculty.
6. proceeding or derived from reason or based on reasoning: a rational explanation.
7. Mathematics.
a. capable of being expressed exactly by a ratio of two integers.
b. (of a function) capable of being expressed exactly by a ratio of two polynomials.
8. Classical Prosody. capable of measurement in terms of the metrical unit or mora.
–noun
9. Mathematics. rational number.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME racional < L ratiōnālis, equiv. to ratiōn- (s. of ratiō) reason + -ālis -al 1

Related forms:
ra⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
ra⋅tion⋅al⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. intelligent, wise, judicious, sagacious, enlightened. 6. See reasonable.

Antonyms:
2. stupid. 3. insane.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rational
ra·tion·al   (rāsh'ə-nəl)   
adj.  

  1. Having or exercising the ability to reason.

  2. Of sound mind; sane.

  3. Consistent with or based on reason; logical: rational behavior. See Synonyms at logical.

  4. Mathematics Capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers.

n.   Mathematics
A rational number.

[Middle English racional, from Old French racionel, from Latin ratiōnālis, from ratiō, ratiōn-, reason; see reason.]
ra'tion·al·ly adv., ra'tion·al·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ra·tio·nal
Pronunciation: 'ra-sh&-n&l
Function: adjective
1 : having reason or understanding
2 : relating to, based on, or guided by reason, principle, fairness, logic, a legitimate state interest, or a consideration of fact rational relationship to a legitimate state interest —In re J. M., 642 Atlantic Reporter, Second Series 1062 (1994)> —ra·tio·nal·i·ty /"ra-sh&-'na-l&-tE/ noun —ra·tio·nal·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ra·tio·nal
Pronunciation: 'rash-n&l, -&n-&l
Function: adjective
1 a : having reason or understanding b : relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason rational explanation> <rational behavior>
2 : using medical treatments based onreason or general principles —used especially of an ancient school of physicians; —compare EMPIRICAL 1a —ra·tio·nal·ly /-E/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

rational ra·tion·al (rāsh'ə-nəl)
adj.

  1. Having or exercising the ability to reason.

  2. Influenced by reasoning rather than by emotion.

  3. Of sound mind; sane.

  4. Based on scientific knowledge or theory rather than practical observation.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

rational
[Mathematics] a fractional number n/d, where n and d are integers, n is the numerator and d is the denominator. The set of all rational numbers is usually called Q. Computers do not usually deal with rational numbers but instead convert them to real numbers which are represented (approximately in some cases) as floating-point numbers. Compare irrational.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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