CONTEMPLATE


Meaning of CONTEMPLATE in English

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.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.