Reason

c. 1200, 'intellectual faculty that adopts actions to ends,' also 'statement in an argument, statement of explanation or justification,' from Anglo-French resoun, Old French raison 'course; matter; subject; language, speech; thought, opinion,' from Latin rationem (nominative ratio) 'reckoning, understanding, motive, cause,' from ratus, past participle of reri 'to reckon, think,' from PIE root *re- 'to reason, count.'

. The reason why the economy is growing more slowly is a lack of workers. The reason why we need these laws is to protect children from violent adults. There were two reasons behind the company's failure. In times of war, reason can give way to racism.

Reason noun (EXPLANATION) A2 C or U the cause of an event or situation or something that provides an excuse or explanation: The reason for the disaster was engine failure, not human error. Calum’s debut album ‘Only Human’ feat. “You Are The Reason” & “Dancing On My Own” out now! (18) Come now, and let us reason together.-The Authorised Version suggests the thought of a discussion between equals. The Hebrew implies rather the tone of one who gives an authoritative ultimatum, as from a judge to the accused, who had no defence, or only a sham defence, to offer (Micah 6:2-3). Looking for online definition of REASON or what REASON stands for? REASON is listed in the World's largest and most authoritative dictionary database of abbreviations and acronyms The Free Dictionary.

Reason is never a root, neither of act nor desire.

[Robinson Jeffers, 'Meditation on Saviors']

Meaning 'sanity; degree of intelligence that distinguishes men from brutes' is recorded from late 13c. Sense of 'grounds for action, motive, cause of an event' is from c. 1300. Middle English sense of 'meaning, signification' (early 14c.) is in the phrase rhyme or reason. Phrase it stands to reason is from 1630s. Age of Reason 'the Enlightenment' is first recorded 1794, as the title of Tom Paine's book.

reason (v.)

early 14c., resunmen, 'to question (someone),' also 'to challenge,' from Old French raisoner 'speak, discuss; argue; address; speak to,' from Late Latin rationare 'to discourse,' from ratio 'reckoning, understanding, motive, cause,' from ratus, past participle of reri 'to reckon, think,' from PIE root *re- 'to reason, count.' Intransitive sense of 'to think in a logical manner' is from 1590s; transitive sense of 'employ reasoning (with someone)' is from 1847. Related: Reasoned; reasoning.