ˌkäntəmˈplāshən, -(ˌ)temˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English contemplacioun, from Old French contemplation, from Latin contemplation-, contemplatio, from contemplatus + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : meditation on spiritual things as a form of private devotion
b. : a state of mystical awareness of God's being or presence : an ecstatic perception of God
a state of rapture … in which the soul is freed from its senses and organs and lost in pure contemplation — Frank Thilly
2. : an act of the mind in considering with attention : continued attention to a particular subject : meditation , musing , study
3. obsolete : regard , consideration ; also : something for which such consideration is asked : petition , prayer , request
4. : the act of viewing steadfastly and attentively : the viewing of something (as a picture or a scene) for its own sake
5. : the act of looking forward to an event : the act of intending or considering a future event : expectation
a shooting match … and other sports were in contemplation — S.E.White