— ruminantly , adv.
/rooh"meuh neuhnt/ , n.
1. any even-toed, hoofed mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, being comprised of cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing quadrupeds, and including, besides domestic cattle, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, camels, and chevrotains.
adj.
2. ruminating; chewing the cud.
3. contemplative; meditative: a ruminant scholar.
[ 1655-65; ruminant- (s. of ruminans, prp. of ruminari, ruminare to chew cud, meditate), equiv. to rumin- (s. of rumen ) RUMEN + -ant- -ANT ]