Lexic.us

Definition of Rationalise

1. Verb. Structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results. "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits"

2. Verb. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning. "He rationalized his lack of success"

3. Verb. Think rationally; employ logic or reason. "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize"

4. Verb. Remove irrational quantities from. "This function can be rationalized"

5. Verb. Weed out unwanted or unnecessary things. "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet"

Definition of Rationalise

1. Verb. To make something rational or more rational. ¹

2. Verb. To justify an immoral act, or illogical behaviour. “The process of thought by which one justifies a discreditable act, and by which one offers to oneself and the world a better motive for one's action than the true motive”(R:30D2aMPV 1949 Washington Square Press New York 29 4 - Words for Mature Minds ) ¹

3. Verb. (mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation. ¹

4. Verb. To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Rationalise

1. [v -ISED, -ISING, -ISES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Rationalise

rational drug design rational egoism rational egoist rational formula rational function rational functions rational motive rational number rational numbers rational surface

rational therapy rationale rationales rationalisation rationalisations rationalise (current term) rationalise away rationalised rationalises rationalising

rationalism rationalisms rationalist rationalistic rationalistical rationalistically rationalists rationalities rationality rationalizability

Literary usage of Rationalise

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Algebra for the Use of Colleges and Schools: With Numerous Examples by Isaac Todhunter (1866)
"... and the required cube root is 1 + ^/3. EXAMPLES OF SURDS. 1. Find a factor which will rationalise or — b . 2. Find a factor which will rationalise „J2 ..."

2. The School World (1905)
"finally, and already discussions are taking place as to the best steps to take to modernise and rationalise the entrance requirements at the older ..."

3. The Ethical Movement, Its Principles and Aims by Horace James Bridges (1911)
"... ignorance : danger of this state of things. —Concrete evil results of ethical ignorance.—Changes needed to rationalise moral action : (a) ethics must be ..."

4. Algebra for the Use of Colleges and Schools: With Numerous Examples by Isaac Todhunter (1866)
"By two operations we may rationalise the denominator of a fraction when that denominator consists of three quadratic surds. For suppose the denominator to ..."

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