reason (ˈriːzənn
)
Definitions
noun
- the faculty of rational argument, deduction, judgment, etc
- sound mind; sanity
- a cause or motive, as for a belief, action, etc
- an argument in favour of or a justification for something
- philosophy the intellect regarded as a source of knowledge, as contrasted with experience
- logic grounds for a belief; a premise of an argument supporting that belief
- See by reason of
- See in reason
- See it stands to reason
- See listen to reason
- See reasons of State
verb
- (when tr, takes a clause as object) to think logically or draw (logical conclusions) from facts or premises
- (intr) usually foll by with to urge or seek to persuade by reasoning
- (tr) often foll by out to work out or resolve (a problem) by reasoning
Alternative Forms
ˈreasoner nounWord Origin
C13: from Old French reisun , from Latin ratiō reckoning, from rērī to thinkSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
cause,
grounds,
purpose,
motive,
end,
goal,
design,
target,
aim,
basis,
occasion,
object,
intention,
incentive,
warrant,
impetus,
inducement,
why and wherefore
=
justification,
case,
grounds,
defence,
argument,
explanation,
excuse,
apology,
rationale,
exposition,
vindication,
apologia,
=
sense,
mind,
reasoning,
understanding,
brains,
judgment,
logic,
mentality,
intellect,
comprehension,
apprehension,
sanity,
rationality,
soundness,
sound mind
ratiocination,
Quotations
"The heart has reasons that reason knows not of"
"The reason of the strongest is always the best"
"There is nothing without a reason"
"Reason is natural revelation"
"Reason, an ignis fatuus of the mind,Which leaves the light of nature, sense, behind"
Translations
- British English:
reason
The reason for something is a fact or situation which explains why it happens.There is a reason for everything that happens.ˈriːzn NOUN There is a reason for everything that happens.
- Spanish:
razón
nf
- French:
raison
nf
- German:
Beweggrund
nm Beweggründe
- Chinese: 理由 n
- Arabic: سَبَب n
- Portuguese: razão nf
- Russian: причина nf
- Croatian: razlog nm
- Czech: důvod nm
- Danish: grund nutr
- Dutch: reden n
- Finnish: syy n
- Greek: αιτία nf
- Italian: ragione nf
- Japanese: 理由 n
- Korean: 이유 n
- Norwegian: årsak nm
- Polish: powód nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: razão nf
- European Spanish:
razón
nf
- Swedish: orsak nutr
- Thai: เหตุผล n
- Turkish: mantık n
- Vietnamese: lý do n
Usage examples
Justice sees no injustice in taking its time, which is one reason why judges rarely die of heart failure.
, YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)For the same reason he shied from painting portraits -'his genius was not for the specific,' says Hedley.
Country Life (2004)His reason for a particular interest in this area is made obvious later, in his address to the conference.
Irish Times (2002)Ms Alexander used the possibility of a legal challenge as a reason not to be drawn on the background or arguments.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Psychiatrists and managers would say, `We don't have the staff for that,' but there is a deeper reason.
, BEYOND FEAR (2002)