1.
[syn: irrational number, irrational]
ADJECTIVE (2)
1. not consistent with or using reason;
- Example: "irrational fears"
- Example: "irrational animals"
2. real but not expressible as the quotient of two integers;
- Example: "irrational numbers"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
irrational \ir*ra"tion*al\ ([i^]r*r[a^]sh"[u^]n*al), a. [L.
irrationalis: cf. F. irrationnel. See In- not, and
Rational.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Not rational; void of reason or understanding; as, brutes
are irrational animals.
[1913 Webster]
2. Not according to reason; having no rational basis; clearly
contrary to reason; easily disproved by reasoning; absurd;
-- of assertions and beliefs. Hence, of actions: foolish;
unreasonable.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
It seemed utterly irrational any longer to maintain
it. --I. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Math.) Not capable of being exactly expressed by an
integral number, nor by a ratio of integral numbers; surd;
-- said especially of roots. See Surd.
Syn: Absurd; foolish; preposterous; unreasonable; senseless.
See Absurd.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
irrational
adj 1: not consistent with or using reason; "irrational fears";
"irrational animals" [ant: rational]
2: real but not expressible as the quotient of two integers;
"irrational numbers" [ant: rational]
n 1: a real number that cannot be expressed as a rational number
[syn: irrational number, irrational]