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A philosophical proposition, doctrine, or principle of reasoning. [R.] This, the most venerable, and perhaps the most ancient, of Grecian myths, is a philosopheme. Coleridge.

To reason like a philosopher; to search into the reason and nature of things; to investigate phenomena, and assign rational causes for their existence. Man philosophizes as he lives. He may philosophize well or ill, but philosophize he must. Sir W. Hamilton.

n actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and laws.

A reason or cause of pity, grief, or regret; a thing to be regretted. "The more the pity." Shak. What pity is it That we can die but once to serve our country! Addison.

ace was playing in her walk. Chaucer. The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy reason, would he skip and play! Pope. And some, the darlings of their Lord, Play smiling with the flame and sword. Keble.

To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father. O that one might plead for a man wit…

Plentiful; abundant. [Obs. or Colloq.] If reasons were as plenty as blackberries. Shak. (Folio ed.) Those countries where shrubs are plenty. Goldsmith.

ood or evil; tractable; as, a pliant heart. The will was then ductile and pliant to right reason. South.

To counterpoise; to counterbalance. One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality. Shak. To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. Dryden.

the common people; studious of the favor of the populace. [R.] Such popular humanity is treason. Addison.

from which any one proceeds to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's position; to appear in a false position. Let not the proof of any position depend on the positions that follow, but always on those which go before. I. Watts.…

he latter is admitted to be self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not as proposition which it would be impossible to deny. Eng. Cyc.

one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc. I. Watts. The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my powers, drove the grossness . . . into a received belief. Shak.

A writ commanding something to be done, or requiring a reason for neglecting it.

Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects, rather than with details and circumstances; -- said of literature. "Pragmatic history." Sir W. Hamilton. "Pragmatic poetry." M. Arnold. Pragmatic sanction, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters; -- a term…

The object, ground, or reason of praise. He is thy praise, and he is thy God. Deut. x.

To utter foolishly; to speak without reason or purpose; to chatter, or babble. What nonsense would the fool, thy master, prate, When thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate ! Dryden.

To utter as prattle; to babble; as, to prattle treason. Addison.

book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.

ue to this or that sort of poetry. Dryden. Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge over another's. Locke.