A rationale is the set of reasons or logical explanation for a decision, belief, or action. It explains why something was done or chosen.
It comes from Medieval Latin “rationalis,” meaning “of reason,” from Latin “ratio,” meaning “reason” or “cause.” The noun form in English developed in the 17th century for formal explanations.
A rationale is like the invisible blueprint behind a choice—without it, decisions can look random or unfair. The word sits close to “rational,” hinting that good reasons are what turn raw choices into thoughtful ones.
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