ra|tion|al|ize

ra|tion|al|ize
ra|tion|al|ize «RASH uh nuh lyz, RASH nuh-», verb, -ized, -iz|ing.
–v.t.
1. to make rational or conformable to reason: »

When life has been duly rationalized by science, it will be seen that among a man's duties, care of the body is imperative (Herbert Spencer).

2. to treat or explain in a rational manner.
3. to find (often unconsciously) an explanation or excuse for: »

She rationalizes her gluttony by thinking, “I must eat enough to keep up my strength.”

4. to explain (myth, legend, or other belief) in terms of contemporary scientific knowledge.
5. to organize or run (a business, industry, operation, or institution) on economically sound or proven methods of administration and production: »

He wanted the six hundred-odd societies to rationalize themselves and offer better terms (Punch).

6. Mathematics. to clear from irrational quantities.
–v.i.
to find excuses (often unconsciously) for one's desires.
ra´tion|al|iz´er, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • frac|tion|al|ize — «FRAK shuh nuh lyz», transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. to divide (an organization, system, or other structure) into parts or fractions: »Incident to these objectives is the attempt to fractionalize the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • sec|tion|al|ize — «SEHK shuh nuh lyz», transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to make sectional in scope or spirit: »The principal results of the struggle were to sectionalize parties. 2. to divide into sections; divide (land or an area) into plots or districts.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fic|tion|al|ize — «FIHK shuh nuh lyz», transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. to give a fictitious form to; make fiction out of: »The famous trial was fictionalized in this novel. –fic´tion|al|iz´er, noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • na|tion|al|ize — «NASH uh nuh lyz, NASH nuh », transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to bring (industries, land, railroads, or other resources or enterprises) under the control or ownership of a nation, usually making the government responsible for their operation:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|ven|tion|al|ize — «kuhn VEHN shuh nuh lyz», transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to make conventional; treat conventionally. 2. to design or draw according to customary patterns rather than nature: »The Acanthus leaf, conventionalized, is well liked by architects,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|in|sti|tu|tion|al|ize — «dee IHN stuh TOO shuh nuh lyz, TYOO », transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to remove the institutional quality or character from: »Even the 8 by 10 foot bathrooms have been deinstitutionalized (New York Times). 2. to remove from an institution or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|sti|tu|tion|al|ize — «IHN stuh TOO shuh nuh lyz, TYOO », transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to make into an institution: »There are other wrongs which seem to be becoming institutionalized, but perhaps the economic wrongs are an obvious starting point (New York Times) …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|ter|na|tion|al|ize — «IHN tuhr NASH uh nuh lyz, NA nuh », verb, ized, iz|ing. –v.t. 1. to make international: »to internationalize units of weights and measures. 2. to bring (territory) under the control of several nations or of an international body. –v.i. to become …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|sti|tu|tion|al|ize — «KON stuh TOO shuh nuh lyz, TYOO », transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. to make constitutional: »He was opposed to factions or formal groupings which would inevitably constitutionalize and impose their own majority rules (London Times) …   Useful english dictionary

  • de|na|tion|al|ize — «dee NASH uh nuh lyz, NASH nuh », transitive verb, ized, iz|ing. 1. to deprive of national rights, scope, or character. 2. to turn over, or return, to private ownership or operation, as an industry or undertaking previously owned or operated by a …   Useful english dictionary

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