ruminate

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ru·mi·nate / ˈroōməˌnāt/ • v. [intr.] 1. think deeply about something: we sat ruminating on the nature of existence.2. (of a ruminant) chew the cud.DERIVATIVES: ru·mi·na·tion / ˌroōməˈnāshən/ n.ru·mi·na·tive / -ˌnātiv/ adj.ru·mi·na·tive·ly / -ˌnātivlē/ adv.ru·mi·na·tor / -ˌnātər/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

ruminate

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ruminate meditate (upon); chew the cud. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. rūminārī, -āre, f. rūmen, rūmin- throat, gullet, (in mod. scientific use) first stomach of a ruminant; see -ATE3.
So ruminant (animal) that chews the cud. XVII. rumination XVI.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

ruminate

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ruminate Of the endosperm, pale with an irregular pattern of dark lines, looking as though chewed.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

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