Rationalness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being based on reason, logic, or sound judgment rather than emotion or irrationality
2. The state of possessing a mindset that emphasizes logical reasoning and sound judgment over emotional responses or irrational thought processes
3. A characteristic marked by the prioritization of logical reasoning and a sound judgment, contrasting emotionality or irrationality

Etymology: "Rationalness" is simply "rational" with the suffix "-ness" attached, the same suffix that turns "kind" into "kindness" or "happy" into "happiness." "Rational" comes from Latin "rationalis," built on "ratio," meaning reason, calculation or account, and English took the adjective over in the late Middle Ages. The noun formed by adding "-ness" is a native English pattern, so the word is a transparent compound of an old borrowed adjective and a native ending rather than a term with its own history. The meaning follows directly from the parts. "Rational" in its basic sense describes someone or something governed by reason rather than impulse, and "-ness" names the quality or state of being that way. The result names the condition of thinking in a logical, measured way, which is why the word is used for a steady temperament that weighs evidence before reacting.

Synonyms: reasonableness, logicalness, sanity, soundness, clarity

Antonyms: irrationality, absurdity, nonsense, unreasonableness, illogicality