con ‧ tem ‧ plate /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt $ ˈkɑːn-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of contemplari , from com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + templum ( , ↑ temple ) ]
1 . [transitive] to think about something that you might do in the future SYN consider :
He had even contemplated suicide.
contemplate doing something
Did you ever contemplate resigning?
2 . [transitive] to accept the possibility that something is true
too dreadful/horrifying etc to contemplate
The thought that she might be dead was too terrible to contemplate.
3 . [intransitive and transitive] to think about something seriously for a period of time SYN consider :
Jack went on vacation to contemplate his future.
contemplate what/whether/how etc
She sat down and contemplated what she had done.
contemplate your navel (=think so much about your own life that you do not notice other important things – used humorously)
4 . [transitive] to look at someone or something for a period of time in a way that shows you are thinking:
He contemplated her with a faint smile.
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THESAURUS
■ to think about something
▪ think to use your mind to decide about something, form an opinion, imagine something etc:
I’ve been thinking about what you said – maybe you’re right.
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I need some time to think.
▪ consider to think about something carefully before deciding what to do:
Have you considered working for a year before going to college?
▪ weigh ( also weigh up British English ) to carefully think about a plan or choice by comparing all the advantages and disadvantages involved:
You need to weigh up the pros and cons (=the advantages and disadvantages) , and decide which investment is the best one for you.
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The committee are still weighing the alternatives.
▪ give something some/a lot of thought to think carefully about something, before you make a final decision about it:
Why don’t you give it some thought and then get back to me?
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He had obviously given the matter a lot of thought.
▪ mull something over to think about a problem, plan etc before making a decision:
Can you give me a bit of time to mull it over?
▪ ponder to spend time thinking carefully and seriously about something, especially a problem or something complicated:
She is still pondering what to do.
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Officials are pondering ways to remove the oil from the beaches.
▪ contemplate to think about something you might do in the future:
Did you ever contemplate resigning?
▪ reflect formal to think carefully about something, especially something that happened in the past:
It was a good time to reflect upon the changes that had happened in my life.