ru·mi·nate

[roo-muh-neyt] verb, ru·mi·nat·ed, ru·mi·nat·ing.
verb (used without object)
1.
to chew the cud, as a ruminant.
2.
to meditate or muse; ponder.
verb (used with object)
3.
to chew again or over and over.
4.
to meditate on; ponder.

Origin:
1525–35; < Latin rūminātus (past participle of rūminārī, rūmināre to ruminate), equivalent to rūmin- (stem of rūmen rumen) + -ātus -ate1

ru·mi·nat·ing·ly, adverb
ru·mi·na·tion, noun
ru·mi·na·tive, adjective
ru·mi·na·tive·ly, adverb
ru·mi·na·tor, noun
non·ru·mi·nat·ing, adjective
non·ru·mi·nat·ing·ly, adverb
non·ru·mi·na·tion, noun
non·ru·mi·na·tive, adjective
un·ru·mi·nat·ed, adjective
un·ru·mi·nat·ing, adjective
un·ru·mi·nat·ing·ly, adverb
un·ru·mi·na·tive, adjective


2. think, reflect.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To ruminate
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Ruminate is one of our favorite verbs.
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to spend time idly; loaf.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
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World English Dictionary
ruminate (ˈruːmɪˌneɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb (when intr, often foll by upon, on, etc)
1.  (of ruminants) to chew (the cud)
2.  to meditate or ponder (upon)
 
[C16: from Latin rūmināre to chew the cud, from rumen]
 
rumi'nation
 
n
 
'ruminative
 
adj
 
'ruminatively
 
adv
 
'ruminator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

ruminate
1533, "to turn over in the mind," also "to chew cud" (1547), from L. ruminatus, pp. of ruminare "to chew the cud, turn over in the mind," from rumen (gen. ruminis) "gullet," of uncertain origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Some can ruminate for months without taking any action, psychologists say.
She developed insomnia and started to ruminate constantly about what she might have done wrong.
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