reason /ˈɹiːzən/verb 8noun 9forms 5phrases 4 verb8 •to work out an answer by thinking clearly about the facts"I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from insufficient data. […]" — 1892 •To find by logical process; to explain or justify by reason or argument. •To perform a process of deduction or of induction, in order to convince or to confute; to argue. •To arrange and present the reasons for or against; to examine or discuss by arguments; to debate or discuss.I reasoned the matter with my friend. •To persuade by reasoning or argument. •To overcome or conquer by adducing reasons. •(rare) To support with reasons, as a request. •(no longer used) To converse; to compare opinions. noun9 •A cause. •That which causes something: an efficient cause, a proximate cause.The reason this tree fell is that it had rotted. •A motive for an action or a determination.He made reason with his boss about taking a day off.The reason I robbed the bank was that I needed the money. •Rational thinking (or the capacity for it); the cognitive faculties, collectively, of conception, judgment, deduction and intuition.Mankind should develop reason above all other virtues. •An excuse: a thought or a consideration offered in support of a determination or an opinion; that which is offered or accepted as an explanation.I have forgotten the reason he gave for not travelling by air. I felt sure that it was not the correct reason, and that he suffered from a heart trouble which he kept to himself. — 1966 •A premise placed after its conclusion. •A wall plate. •(no longer used) Something reasonable, in accordance with thought; justice.16th century Edmund Spenser, Lines on his Promised Pension I was promised, on a time, To have reason for my rhyme. •(no longer used) Ratio; proportion. formsreasoned · reasoning · reasoneth · reasons · reasonest Phrases with reason reason outTo solve or determine by reasoning. reason withTo convince (someone) to do (or not do) something using rational arguments; to get (someone) to view something rationally. rhyme or reasonLogic; common sense. stand to reasonTo seem logical, rational, or reasonable; to make sense.
