/ kənˈtemplətɪv; NAmE / adjective
■ ( formal )
1.
thinking quietly and seriously about sth :
She was in contemplative mood.
2.
spending time thinking deeply about religious matters :
the contemplative life (= life in a religious community)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French contemplatif , -ive , or Latin contemplativus , from contemplat- meditated, from the verb contemplari , based on templum place for observation.