ratio
UK[ˈreɪʃiəʊ]US[ˈreɪʃioʊ]
n
A relationship between two amounts, represented by a pair of numbers showing how much bigger one is than the other.
n
The quantitative relation between two similar things, determined by the number of times one contains the other.
Morpheme Breakdown
rat
io
rat
reckon, calculate
io
noun suffix
Etymology
The word "ratio" has a direct and logical lineage from Latin, where it originally meant "a reckoning, calculation, or reason." It stems from the verb reri (to think, calculate), with its past participle ratus providing the root. The suffix -io was added to form a noun describing the act or result of this calculation. Over time, this abstract concept of a calculated relationship was refined in English to specifically denote the precise quantitative relationship between two numbers or magnitudes, central to mathematics and logic.
Analysis
Structure: rat (reckon, calculate) + io (noun suffix)
- rat: From Latin ratus, the past participle of reri meaning "to reckon, calculate, think".
- io: A Latin noun-forming suffix, often indicating an action, result, or state.
Examples
The school has a very low student-to-teacher ratio.
The ratio of men to women in the class is about three to one.
Mix the paint powder with water in the ratio of 1:4.