rationality
UK: ˌræʃəˈnæləti | US: ˌræʃəˈnæləti
n. the quality of being based on or guided by reason
n. the ability to think logically and make reasoned judgments
rationality = ration<reason> + al<adjective suffix> + ity<noun suffix>
- ration (from Latin ratio, meaning "reason, calculation")
- al (adjective-forming suffix, from Latin -alis)
- ity (noun-forming suffix, from Latin -itas, indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word "rationality" traces back to the Latin ratio, which originally referred to "reckoning, calculation" and later evolved to mean "reason" or "logical thinking." The suffix -al transforms the root into an adjective ("rational"), and -ity further converts it into a noun denoting the abstract quality ("rationality"). This progression reflects the development of human thought from basic calculation to higher-order reasoning.
Her decision was praised for its clarity and rationality.
Scientific research demands a high degree of rationality.
The debate lacked rationality and devolved into emotional arguments.
Philosophers often explore the limits of human rationality.
His rationality helped the team solve the complex problem efficiently.