different between rational vs theoretical

English

Alternative forms

• rationall (obsolete)

Pronunciation

• enPR: r?'sh(?)n?l, IPA^(key): /??æ?(?)n?l/

Etymology 1

From Old French rationel, rational, from Latin rationalis (“of or belonging to reason, rational, reasonable; having a ratio”), from ratio (“reason; calculation”).

Adjective

rational (comparative more rational, superlative most rational)

1. Capable of reasoning.
2. Logically sound; not contradictory or otherwise absurd.

3. (of a person or personal characteristics) Healthy or balanced intellectually; exhibiting reasonableness.
4. (mathematics, arithmetic, number theory, not comparable) Of a number, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two integers.

   ¾ is a rational number, but ?2 is an irrational number.

5. (mathematics, arithmetic, not comparable) Of an algebraic expression, capable of being expressed as the ratio of two polynomials.
6. (chemistry) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; said of formulae.
7. (physics) Expressing a physical object.

Antonyms

• (reasonable): absurd, irrational, nonsensical
• (capable of reasoning): arational, irrational, non-rational
• (number theory): irrational

Related terms

Translations

Noun

rational (plural rationals)

1. (mathematics) A rational number: a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers.

   The quotient of two rationals is again a rational.

Translations

Etymology 2

From Old French rational, from Medieval Latin rationale (“a pontifical stole, a pallium, an ornament worn over the chasuble”), neuter of Latin rationalis (“rational”), for which see the first etymology. Translation of ??????? (logeîon) or perhaps ?????? (lógion, “oracle”) in the Septuagint version of Exodus 28.

Noun

rational (plural rationals)

1. (historical) The breastplate worn by Israelite high priests.

Translations

References

• rational in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• rational in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Further reading

• "rational" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 252.

Anagrams

• notarial

German

Etymology

From Latin rationalis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [??at?si?o?na?l]
• Hyphenation: ra?ti?o?nal

Adjective

rational (comparative rationaler, superlative am rationalsten)

1. rational

Declension

Further reading

• “rational” in Duden online

English

Etymology

From theoretic +? -al. Compare Latin the?r?ticus, from Ancient Greek ?????????? (the?r?tikós).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??i.????t?k?l/, /????????t?k?l/

Adjective

theoretical (comparative more theoretical, superlative most theoretical)

1. Of or relating to theory; abstract; not empirical.

   Antonym: practical

Derived terms

Translations