verb
ratiocinate
rash-ee-AH-suh-nayt/ˌræʃiˈɑsəˌneɪt/
To reason logically and methodically.
The detective ratiocinates carefully before drawing conclusions from the evidence.
Etymology
Latin ratiocinari covered both calculation and reasoning. The English verb focuses on drawing a conclusion from judgments or premises—the careful inferential work involved in logical thought.
More examples
- We need time to ratiocinate rather than make a hasty guess.
- She ratiocinated about the problem until a clear solution emerged.
- By ratiocinating carefully, he spots a flaw in the argument.
Forms
ratiocinate · ratiocinates · ratiocinated · ratiocinating
ratiocination noun — The process of careful, logical reasoning.
Similar words
- reason
- The ordinary term for thinking logically about a question.
- deduce
- Specifically means deriving a conclusion from facts or premises.
- deliberate
- Emphasizes weighing options carefully before making a decision.