[ru.mi.nate] vb -nat.ed ; -nat.ing [L ruminatus, pp. of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, fr. rumin-, rumen rumen; perh. akin to Skt romantha act of chewing the cud] vt (1533) 1: to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2: to chew repeatedly for an extended period ~ vi 1: to a chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed: chew the cud
2: to engage in contemplation: reflect syn see ponder -- ru.mi.na.tion n -- ru.mi.na.tive adj -- ru.mi.na.tive.ly adv -- ru.mi.na.tor n