outreasonv.
/aʊtˈriːzn/, U.S. /ˌaʊtˈriz(ə)n/ transitive. To overcome by reasoning or logical argument; to outdo or surpass in reasoning.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)] > overcome by argument
outreason1644
bereason1826
1644 J. Goodwin Θεομαχια 30 That way which shall be able to out-reason..all other wayes, will at last exalt unitie.
1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 117 A carnal mind vainly puffed up out-reasons al good convictions of dutie.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. vii. 68 Her Ladyship..immediately reported all about the Town, that she had outreasoned two Physicians.
1799 C. B. Brown Edgar Huntly III. xxvi. 192 It was easy for him to outreason his antagonist.
1821 Examiner 46/2 They were alike out-voted and out-reasoned.
1891 M. Cole Cy Ross 139 He did not attempt to outreason the silly superstition.
1932 Sci. Monthly Nov. 474/1 A similar experiment..brought out evidence that even at an early age the young human can outreason the young ape.
1996 Sports Illustr. 31 July 32 Other sports administrators..might outreason him, outdebate him and stake claim to a higher moral ground.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2004; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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