- Rational
- Rational Ra"tion*al (r[a^]sh"[u^]n*al), a. [L. rationalis: cf.
F. rationnel. See {Ratio}, {Reason}, and cf. {Rationale}.]
1. Relating to the reason; not physical; mental.
[1913 Webster]
Moral philosophy was his chiefest end; for the rational, the natural, and mathematics . . . were but simple pastimes in comparison of the other. --Sir T. North. [1913 Webster]
2. Having reason, or the faculty of reasoning; endowed with reason or understanding; reasoning. [1913 Webster]
It is our glory and happiness to have a rational nature. --Law. [1913 Webster]
3. Agreeable to reason; not absurd, preposterous, extravagant, foolish, fanciful, or the like; wise; judicious; as, rational conduct; a rational man. [1913 Webster]
4. (Chem.) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; -- said of formul[ae]. See under {Formula}. [1913 Webster]
{Rational horizon}. (Astron.) See {Horizon}, 2 (b) .
{Rational quantity} (Alg.), one that can be expressed without the use of a radical sign, or in exact parts of unity; -- opposed to {irrational} or {radical quantity}.
{Rational symptom} (Med.), one elicited by the statements of the patient himself and not as the result of a physical examination. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Sane; sound; intelligent; reasonable; sensible; wise; discreet; judicious.
Usage: {Rational}, {reasonable}. Rational has reference to reason as a faculty of the mind, and is opposed to irrational; as, a rational being, a rational state of mind, rational views, etc. In these cases the speculative reason is more particularly, referred to. Reasonable has reference to the exercise of this faculty for practical purposes, and means, governed or directed by reason; as, reasonable desires or plans; a reasonable charge; a reasonable prospect of success. [1913 Webster]
What higher in her society thou find'st Attractive, human, rational, love still. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
A law may be reasonable in itself, although a man does not allow it, or does not know the reason of the lawgivers. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
