rational quantity

1 definition found

rational quantity - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rational \Ra"tion*al\ (r[a^]sh"[u^]n*al), a. [L. rationalis: cf.
     F. rationnel. See Ratio, Reason, and cf. Rationale.]
     1. Relating to the reason; not physical; mental.
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              Moral philosophy was his chiefest end; for the
              rational, the natural, and mathematics . . . were
              but simple pastimes in comparison of the other.
                                                    --Sir T.
                                                    North.
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     2. Having reason, or the faculty of reasoning; endowed with
        reason or understanding; reasoning.
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              It is our glory and happiness to have a rational
              nature.                               --Law.
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     3. Agreeable to reason; not absurd, preposterous,
        extravagant, foolish, fanciful, or the like; wise;
        judicious; as, rational conduct; a rational man.
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     4. (Chem.) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and
        reactions of a compound; graphic; -- said of formulae. See
        under Formula.
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     Rational horizon. (Astron.) See Horizon, 2
        (b) .
  
     Rational quantity (Alg.), one that can be expressed without
        the use of a radical sign, or in exact parts of unity; --
        opposed to irrational or radical quantity.
  
     Rational symptom (Med.), one elicited by the statements of
        the patient himself and not as the result of a physical
        examination.
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     Syn: Sane; sound; intelligent; reasonable; sensible; wise;
          discreet; judicious.
  
     Usage: Rational, reasonable. Rational has reference to
            reason as a faculty of the mind, and is opposed to
            irrational; as, a rational being, a rational state of
            mind, rational views, etc. In these cases the
            speculative reason is more particularly, referred to.
            Reasonable has reference to the exercise of this
            faculty for practical purposes, and means, governed or
            directed by reason; as, reasonable desires or plans; a
            reasonable charge; a reasonable prospect of success.
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                  What higher in her society thou find'st
                  Attractive, human, rational, love still.
                                                    --Milton.
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                  A law may be reasonable in itself, although a
                  man does not allow it, or does not know the
                  reason of the lawgivers.          --Swift.
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