Ra"tion (r"shn or rsh"n), n. [F., fr. L. ratio a reckoning,
calculation, relation, reference, LL. ratio ration. See Ratio.] 1. A
fixed daily allowance of provisions assigned to a soldier in the army,
or a sailor in the navy, for his subsistence.
Officers have several rations, the number varying according to their
rank or the number of their attendants.
2. Hence, a certain portion or fixed amount dealt out; an allowance; an
allotment.
Ra"tion, v. t. To supply with rations, as a regiment.
Ra"tion*al (rsh"n*al), a. [L. rationalis: cf. F. rationnel. See Ratio,
Reason, and cf. Rationale.] 1. Relating to the reason; not physical;
mental.
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.
2. Having reason, or the faculty of reasoning; endowed with reason or
understanding; reasoning.
It is our glory and happiness to have a rational nature.
Law.
3. Agreeable to reason; not absurd, preposterous, extravagant, foolish,
fanciful, or the like; wise; judicious; as, rational conduct; a
rational man.
4. (Chem.) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of
a compound; graphic; -- said of formulæ. See under Formula.
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.
Syn. -- Sane; sound; intelligent; reasonable; sensible; wise; discreet;
judicious. -- 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.
What higher in her society thou find'st Attractive, human,
rational, love still.
Milton.
A law may be reasonable in itself, although a man does not allow
it, or does not know the reason of the lawgivers.
Swift.
Ra"tion*al, n. A rational being. Young.
Ra`tion*a"le (rsh`n*"l), n. [L. rationalis, neut. rationale. See
Rational, a.] An explanation or exposition of the principles of some
opinion, action, hypothesis, phenomenon, or the like; also, the
principles themselves.
Ra"tion*al*ism (rsh"n*al*z'm), n. [Cf. F. rationalisme.] 1. (Theol.)
The doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions
from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to,
revelation.
2. (Philos.) The system that makes rational power the ultimate test of
truth; -- opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism.
Fleming.
Ra"tion*al*ist, n. [Cf. F. rationaliste.] One who accepts rationalism
as a theory or system; also, disparagingly, a false reasoner. See
Citation under Reasonist.
{ Ra`tion*al*is"tic (-s"tk), Ra`tion*al*is"tic*al (-t*kal), } a.
Belonging to, or in accordance with, the principles of rationalism. --
Ra`tion*al*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
Ra`tion*al"i*ty (-l"*t; 277), n.; pl. -ties (- tz). [F. rationalité, or
L. rationalitas.] The quality or state of being rational; agreement
with reason; possession of reason; due exercise of reason;
reasonableness.
When God has made rationality the common portion of mankind, how
came it to be thy inclosure?
Gov. of Tongue.
Well-directed intentions, whose rationalities will never bear a
rigid examination.
Sir T. Browne.
Ra`tion*al*i*za"tion (rsh`n*al**z"shn), n. The act or process of
rationalizing.
Ra"tion*al*ize (rsh"n*al*z), v. t. 1. To make rational; also, to
convert to rationalism.