Dictionary


ir•ra•tion•al



Pronunciation: (i-rash'u-nl), [key]
—adj.
1. without the faculty of reason; deprived of reason.
2. without or deprived of normal mental clarity or sound judgment.
3. not in accordance with reason; utterly illogical: irrational arguments.
4. not endowed with the faculty of reason: irrational animals.
5. Math.
a. (of a number) not capable of being expressed exactly as a ratio of two integers.
b. (of a function) not capable of being expressed exactly as a ratio of two polynomials.
6. Algebra.(of an equation) having an unknown under a radical sign or, alternately, with a fractional exponent.
7. Gk. and Lat. Pros.
a. of or pertaining to a substitution in the normal metrical pattern, esp. a long syllable for a short one.
b. noting a foot or meter containing such a substitution.

—n.
Math.See irrational number.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

irradicableirrationalism
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