I. ˈrē-z ə n noun
Etymology: Middle English resoun, from Anglo-French raisun, from Latin ration-, ratio reason, computation, from reri to calculate, think; probably akin to Gothic rathjo account, explanation
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : a statement offered in explanation or justification
gave reason s that were quite satisfactory
b. : a rational ground or motive
a good reason to act soon
c. : a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense ; especially : something (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact
the reason s behind her client's action
d. : the thing that makes some fact intelligible : cause
the reason for earthquakes
the real reason why he wanted me to stay — Graham Greene
2.
a.
(1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : intelligence
(2) : proper exercise of the mind
(3) : sanity
b. : the sum of the intellectual powers
3. archaic : treatment that affords satisfaction
•
- in reason
- within reason
- with reason
II. verb
( rea·soned ; rea·son·ing ˈrēz-niŋ, ˈrē-z ə n-iŋ)
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to take part in conversation, discussion, or argument
b. : to talk with another so as to influence actions or opinions
can't reason with them
2. : to use the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions
transitive verb
1. archaic : to justify or support with reasons
2. : to persuade or influence by the use of reason
3. : to discover, formulate, or conclude by the use of reason
a carefully reason ed analysis
Synonyms: see think
• rea·son·er ˈrēz-nər, ˈrē-z ə n-ər noun