Ration, rā′shon, n. the quantity of provisions distributed to a soldier or sailor daily: an allowance.—n. Rā′tion-mon′ey, money paid as commutation for rations. [Fr.,—L. ratio.]
Rational, rash′on-al, adj. pertaining to the reason: endowed with reason: agreeable to reason: sane: intelligent: judicious: (arith., alg.) noting a quantity which can be exactly expressed by numbers.—n. Rationabil′ity, the possession of reason.—adj. Rat′ionable, reasonable.—ns. Rationā′le, a rational account of anything, with reasons for its existence: a theoretical explanation or solution; Rationalisā′tion, subjection to rational principles.—v.t. Rat′ionalise, to interpret like a rationalist: to think for one's self.—v.i. to rely entirely or unduly on reason.—ns. Rat′ionalism, the religious system or doctrines of a rationalist; Rat′ionalist, one who believes himself guided in his opinions solely by reason, independently of authority, esp. in regard to religion—denying supernatural revelation.—adjs. Rationalist′ic, -al, pertaining to, or in accordance with, the principles of rationalism.—adv. Rationalist′ically, in a rationalistic manner.—n. Rational′ity, quality of being rational: the possession or due exercise of reason: reasonableness.—adv. Rat′ionally, reasonably.—n. Rat′ionalness.—n.pl. Rat′ionals, dress for women convenient for bicycling, &c.—breeches instead of skirts.
Rational, rash′on-al, n. the breast-plate of the Jewish high-priest: a pectoral worn by a bishop. [L. rationale, a mistaken rendering in the Vulgate of the Gr. logion, oracle.]
Ratitæ, rā-tī′tē, n. a division of birds, including the ostriches, cassowaries, emus, and kiwis.—n. Rā′tite, Rat′itate, raft-breasted, as a bird.
Ratiuncule, rā-shi-ung′kūl, n. a ratio very near unity. [Dim. of L. ratio.]
Ratline, Ratlin, rat′lin, n. one of the small lines or ropes traversing the shrouds and forming the steps of the rigging of ships—also Rat′ling, Ratt′ling.—n. Rat′line-stuff (naut.), a tarred rope from which ratlines are made. [Prob. rat-lines.]
Ratoon, ra-tōōn′, n. a new shoot from the root of a sugar-cane.—v.i. to send up new shoots from the root after cropping. [Hind. ratun.]
Rattan, rat-an′, n. a genus of palms having a smooth, reed-like stem several hundreds of feet in length: a walking-stick made of rattan: stems of rattan palm used as a raft. [Malay rótan.]
Rattan, ra-tan′, n. the continuous beat of a drum.