rationalize

rationalize
/rash"euh nl uyz', rash"nl uyz'/, v., rationalized, rationalizing.
v.t.
1. to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that superficially seem reasonable and valid but that actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious and often less creditable or agreeable causes.
2. to remove unreasonable elements from.
3. to make rational or conformable to reason.
4. to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner.
5. Math. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression): to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
6. Chiefly Brit. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).
v.i.
7. to invent plausible explanations for acts, opinions, etc., that are actually based on other causes: He tried to prove that he was not at fault, but he was obviously rationalizing.
8. to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
Also, esp. Brit., rationalise.
[1810-20; RATIONAL + -IZE]
Usage. Although RATIONALIZE retains its principal 19th-century senses "to make conformable to reason" and "to treat in a rational manner," 20th-century psychology has given it the now more common meaning "to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that seem reasonable but actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious causes." Although the possibility of ambiguity exists, the context will usually make clear which sense is intended.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • rationalize — ra‧tion‧al‧ize [ˈræʆnəlaɪz] also rationalise verb [intransitive, transitive] COMMERCE to make a business or organization more effective by getting rid of unnecessary staff, equipment etc, or reorganizing its structure: • The company has been… …   Financial and business terms

  • rationalize — [rash′ən ə līz΄] vt. rationalized, rationalizing 1. to make rational; make conform to reason 2. to explain or interpret on rational grounds 3. Chiefly Brit. to apply modern methods of efficiency to (an industry, agriculture, etc.) 4. Math. to… …   English World dictionary

  • Rationalize — Ra tion*al*ize (r[a^]sh [u^]n*al*[imac]z), v. t. 1. To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism. [1913 Webster] 2. To interpret in the manner of a rationalist. [1913 Webster] 3. To form a rational conception of. [1913 Webster] 4. (Alg.) To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Rationalize — Ra tion*al*ize, v. i. To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism. [1913 Webster] Theodore . . . is justly considered the chief rationalizing… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rationalize — I verb account for, adduce, analyze, cogitate, construe, excogitate, excuse, explain, explain away, justify, make acceptable, make allowances, make excuses, reason, reconcile, reflect, theorize, think, think logically, vindicate II index comment …   Law dictionary

  • rationalize — (v.) 1767, to explain, to make reasonable, from RATIONAL (Cf. rational) + IZE (Cf. ize). In the psychological sense of to give an explanation that conceals true motives it dates from 1922. Related: Rationalized; rationalizing …   Etymology dictionary

  • rationalize — (Amer.) ra·tion·al·ize || ræʃnÉ™laɪz v. invent possible reasons for an action which are not the true reasons; make something more logical, interpret something rationally; make a company more effective by joining or stopping certain… …   English contemporary dictionary

  • rationalize — *explain, account, justify …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • rationalize — [v] make excuse; justify account for, apply logic, cop a plea*, cop out*, deliberate, elucidate, excise, excuse, explain away, extenuate, give alibi*, intellectualize, justify, make allowance, reason, reason out, reconcile, resolve, think, think… …   New thesaurus

  • rationalize — (also rationalise) ► VERB 1) attempt to justify (an action or attitude) with logical reasoning. 2) reorganize (a process or system) in such a way as to make it more logical and consistent. 3) make (a company or industry) more efficient by… …   English terms dictionary

  • rationalize — verb ( ized; izing) Date: 1803 transitive verb 1. to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: as a. to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of < rationalize a myth > b. to attribute (one s actions) to… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”