Ruminate
['ruːmɪneɪt] or ['rumɪnet]
Definition
(v. i.) To chew the cud; to chew again what has been slightly chewed and swallowed.
(v. i.) To think again and again; to muse; to meditate; to ponder; to reflect.
(v. t.) To chew over again.
(v. t.) To meditate or ponder over; to muse on.
(a.) Alt. of Ruminated
Checked by Jocelyn
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Chew the cud.[2]. Muse, meditate, ponder, cogitate, think, reflect.
v. a. Meditate, chew, muse on, reflect upon, ponder upon, brood over, chew the cud upon.
Checked by Delores
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Muse, meditate, ponder, think, reflect, cogitate, brood
ANT:Unbend, relax, idle, gape, woolgather
Checked by Leda
Examples
- When we had done, he brought me a pudding, and having set it before me, seemed to ruminate, and to become absent in his mind for some moments. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- But, being a mother, it was inevitable that she should soon cease to ruminate upon her own condition. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- I am sure Mrs. Garth would agree with you there, said Mr. Farebrother, who for some reason seemed more inclined to ruminate than to speak. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- While he ruminated a footstep descended the stairs. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- He ruminated a little with a most disturbed expression of face, and left the room in search of Mary. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Mrs. Bardell could not help ruminating on what Mr. Jackson's friend had said. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I am ruminating,' said Mr. Pickwick, 'on the strange mutability of human affairs. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I scarcely know what to say to this, Mr Wegg,' observes Venus, after ruminating for a while. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Ruminating on this strange chance and strange glimpse, he turned into the court-yard. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Well, he is just the size I want,' said Mr. Sikes, ruminating. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- It's wonderful what's been hid, at one time and another,' said Mr Boffin, ruminating; 'truly wonderful. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I don't understand it,' said Mr. Pickwick, ruminating; 'I cannot really understand it. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- A family home, he ruminates as he marches along, however small it is, makes a man like me look lonely. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Typist: Rex