ratiocination

noun

ra·ti·o·ci·na·tion ˌra-tē-ˌō-sə-ˈnā-shən

ˌra-shē-,

-ˌä-

: the process of exact thinking : reasoning

: a reasoned train of thought

ratiocinative

ˌra-tē-ˈō-sə-ˌnā-tiv

ˌra-shē-

-ˈä-

adjective

Did you know?

Edgar Allan Poe is said to have called the 1841 story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" his first "tale of ratiocination." Many today agree with his assessment and consider that Poe classic to be literature's first detective story. Poe didn't actually use ratiocination in "Rue Morgue," but the term does appear three times in its 1842 sequel, "The Mystery of Marie Roget." In "Marie Roget," the author proved his reasoning ability (ratiocination traces to ratio, Latin for "reason" or "computation"). The second tale was based on an actual murder, and as the case unfolded after the publication of Poe's work, it became clear that his fictional detective had done an amazing job of reasoning through the crime.

Example Sentences

as an expert in ratiocination, the detective Sherlock Holmes has few rivals

Recent Examples on the Web Once again, using the obtuse ratiocination of her characters, DeWitt aims at nothing less than expanding readerly consciousness, gesturing toward a world of untapped possibility freed from convention.

Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2022 At the same time that professional men of science were forming the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Poe was lambasting professionals in favor of splendid amateurism and personal ratiocination.

Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 21 July 2021 The surface of the table was taken up with all sorts of paraphernalia superfluous, not to say impedimental, to ratiocination.

Hermione Hoby, New York Times, 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ratiocination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.