Ratiocinari

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of reasoning logically and systematically to arrive at a conclusion
2. Engaging in a process of deduction or rational thought to solve a problem or analyze information
3. The practice of thinking critically and methodically, often to clarify ideas or argumentation

Etymology: In Latin, "ratiocinari" was built from "ratio," which originally meant a reckoning or calculation, the sort of counting a merchant did with accounts. "Ratio" grew out of a verb meaning to reckon or think, so at its root, reasoning was closer to working out a sum than to abstract philosophy. Roman writers such as Cicero used the verb for step-by-step argument, which is how the word came to mean reasoning that moves in ordered stages toward a conclusion. The ending "-cinari" is a verbal suffix whose exact origin is debated among scholars, so the internal breakdown is less certain than the link to "ratio." What is clear is that the verb carried the sense of methodical working-through, not just having an opinion. That emphasis on sequence is still what distinguishes the word from ordinary thinking.

Synonyms: reason, think, deduce, infer, conclude

Antonyms: guess, speculate, misunderstand, ignore