contemplate

views updated Jun 27 2018

con·tem·plate / ˈkäntəmˌplāt/ • v. [tr.] look thoughtfully for a long time at. ∎  think about: the results of a trade war are too horrifying to contemplate. ∎  [intr.] think profoundly and at length; meditate: he sat morosely contemplating. ∎  have in mind as a probable though not certain intention: she was contemplating a gold mining venture.DERIVATIVES: con·tem·pla·tor / -ˌplātər/ n.

contemplate

views updated May 23 2018

contemplate XVI. f. L. contemplārī, -āt-, f. CON- + templum open space for observation, TEMPLE 1; see -ATE 3.
So contemplation XIII. — (O)F. — L. contemplative XIV.

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