rationality

English

Etymology

From French rationalité, from Late Latin rationalitas (“rationality, reasonableness”), from Latin rationalis (“reasonable”)

Noun

rationality (usually uncountable, plural rationalities)

1. The quality or state of being rational; due exercise of reason; reasonableness.

   His sudden loss of rationality was brought on by excess drink.

2. Objectivity, considerateness.

   Such a discussion deserves rationality, not emotion a gut reaction.

Synonyms

• rationalness

Derived terms

• instrumental rationality

Translations

quality or state of being rational

• Danish: rationalitet (da) c
• Finnish: rationaliteetti (fi), rationaalisuus (fi), järkevyys (fi), järkiperäisyys (fi)
• Irish: réasúnacht f, réasúnaíocht f, réasúntacht f

• Norwegian:

  Bokmål: rasjonalitet m

  Nynorsk: rasjonalitet m

objectivity, thoughtfulness

• Finnish: järkevyys (fi), järkiperäisyys (fi)

Further reading

• rationality in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• rationality in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911