Pronunciation: ' rü-m ə - ˌ n ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -nat · ed ; -nat · ing
Etymology: Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud
Date: 1533
transitive verb
1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period
intransitive verb
1 : to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2 : to engage in contemplation : REFLECT
synonyms see PONDER
– ru · mi · na · tion \ ˌ rü-m ə - ' n ā -sh ə n \ noun
– ru · mi · na · tive \ ' rü-m ə - ˌ n ā -tiv \ adjective
– ru · mi · na · tive · ly adverb
– ru · mi · na · tor \ - ˌ n ā -t ə r \ noun