ratiocinative

adjective

ra·​ti·​o·​ci·​na·​tive ˌra-tē-ˈō-sə-ˌnā-tiv How to pronounce ratiocinative (audio)
ˌra-shē-
-ˈä-
1
: of or relating to ratiocination
ratiocinative powers
stimulate one's ratiocinative facultiesMax Beerbohm
2
: marked by or devoted to ratiocination
assume a dogmatic rather than a ratiocinative attitudeScientific Monthly
our educational system … not basically ratiocinativeC. W. Shumaker

Word History

Etymology

Latin ratiocinativus, from ratiocinatus + -ivus -ive

First Known Use

, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ratiocinative was in

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Cite this Entry

“Ratiocinative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratiocinative. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.

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