An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

Reasoning from the → general to the → particular (or from → cause to → effect).

→ deductive; → reasoning.

Reasoning from detailed facts to general principles.

→ deductive; → reasoning.

1) A basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc.
2) A statement presented in justification or explanation of a belief or action.
3) The mental powers concerned with forming conclusions, judgments, or → inferences especially in orderly rational ways.
Philo.: The intellectual ability to apprehend the truth cognitively, either immediately in intuition, or by means of a process of inference. See also → wisdom.
4) (v.) To think or argue in a logical manner; to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.

M.E. resoun, reisun (n.), from O.Fr. reisun, reson, raison, from L. rationem (nom. ratio) "reckoning, understanding, motive, cause," from ratus, p.p. of reor, reri "to reckon, think;" cognate with Pers. râ, rây "reason," as below; O.C.S. raditi "to take thought, attend to," O.Ir. im-radim "to deliberate, consider."

Râyan, from rây + -an. The first component rây, râ "because of, by reason of," in barây-e "because of," cerâ "for what reason, why?," irâ "for this reason, therefore," zirâ "because, on account of;" also rây "opinion, consult;" râymand "reasonable, wise;" râyzan "a person whom one consults; wise;" Mid.Pers. râd, rây "because of, for the sake of, on behalf of;" O.Pers. rā "reason, cause," in rādiy "for this reason;" Av. rādah- "generosity, care, generous," rāsta- "to do right, to fit;" cf. Skt. rādh- "to succeed, be successful;" Gk. arithmos "number, amount;" L. ratio, as above; PIE base *rē-, *rə-. The second component -an a suffix as in rowzan, rowšan, suzan, rasan, zaqan, hâvan, etc.

Being in accordance with reason.

→ reason; → -able.

A process of thinking involving → inference, or of solving problems by employing general principles.

Verbal noun of → reason.