I. ˈrü-mə-nənt noun
Date: 1661
: a ruminant mammal
II. adjective
Date: 1691
1.
a.
(1) : chewing the cud
(2) : characterized by chewing again what has been swallowed
b. : of or relating to two suborders (Ruminantia and Tylopoda) of herbivorous even-toed hoofed mammals (as sheep, oxen, deer, and camels) that chew the cud and have a complex 3- or 4-chambered stomach
2. : given to or engaged in contemplation : meditative
stood there…in this attitude of ruminant relish — Thomas Wolfe
• ru·mi·nant·ly adverb