pon·der (pŏn'dər) v.
pon·dered, pon·der·ing, pon·ders
v.
tr. To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care. v.
intr. To reflect or consider with thoroughness and care.
[Middle English ponderen, from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre, from pondus, ponder-, weight; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.] pon'der·er n.
c.1330, "to estimate the worth of, to appraise," from O.Fr. ponderare "to weigh, poise," from L. ponderare "to ponder, to consider," lit. "to weigh," from pondus (gen. ponderis) "weigh" (see pound (1)). Meaning "to weigh a matter mentally" is attested from c.1380.