rational

[rash-uh-nl, rash-nl] /ˈræʃ ə nl, ˈræʃ nl/
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.
  1. capable of being expressed exactly by a ratio of two integers.
  2. (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; Middle English racional < Latin ratiōnālis, equivalent to ratiōn- (stem of ratiō) reason + -ālis -al1
Related forms
rationally, adverb
rationalness, noun
antirational, adjective
antirationally, adverb
hyperrational, adjective
hyperrationally, adverb
nonrational, adjective
nonrationally, adverb
overrational, adjective
overrationally, adverb
prerational, adjective
quasi-rational, adjective
quasi-rationally, adverb
transrational, adjective
transrationally, adverb
ultrarational, adjective
ultrarationally, adverb
unrational, adjective
unrationally, adverb
Can be confused
rational, reasonable (see synonym study at reasonable)
Synonyms
2. intelligent, wise, judicious, sagacious, enlightened. 6. See reasonable.
Antonyms
2. stupid. 3. insane.
British Dictionary definitions for rationals

rational

/ˈræʃənəl/
adjective
1.
using reason or logic in thinking out a problem
2.
in accordance with the principles of logic or reason; reasonable
3.
of sound mind; sane: the patient seemed quite rational
4.
endowed with the capacity to reason; capable of logical thought: man is a rational being
5.
(maths) expressible as a ratio of two integers or polynomials: a rational number; a rational function
noun
6.
(maths) a rational number
Derived Forms
rationally, adverb
rationalness, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin ratiōnālis, from ratiōreason
Word Origin and History for rationals

rational

adj.

late 14c., "pertaining to reason;" mid-15c., "endowed with reason," from Old French racionel and directly from Latin rationalis "of or belonging to reason, reasonable," from ratio (genitive rationis) "reckoning, calculation, reason" (see ratio).

rationals in Medicine

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.