ruminate

[roo-muh-neyt] /ˈru məˌneɪt/
verb (used without object), ruminated, ruminating.
1.
to chew the cud, as a ruminant.
2.
to meditate or muse; ponder.
verb (used with object), ruminated, ruminating.
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
Related forms
ruminatingly, adverb
rumination, noun
ruminative, adjective
ruminatively, adverb
ruminator, noun
nonruminating, adjective
nonruminatingly, adverb
nonrumination, noun
nonruminative, adjective
unruminated, adjective
unruminating, adjective
unruminatingly, adverb
unruminative, adjective
Synonyms
2. think, reflect.
Examples from the web for ruminate
  • 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.
British Dictionary definitions for ruminate

ruminate

/ˈruːmɪˌneɪt/
verb
1.
(of ruminants) to chew (the cud)
2.
when intr, often foll by upon, on, etc. to meditate or ponder (upon)
Derived Forms
rumination, noun
ruminative, adjective
ruminatively, adverb
ruminator, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin rūmināre to chew the cud, from rumen
Word Origin and History for ruminate
v.

1530s, "to turn over in the mind," also "to chew cud" (1540s), from Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminare "to chew the cud; turn over in the mind," from rumen (genitive ruminis) "gullet," of uncertain origin. Related: Ruminated; ruminating.