Main Entry: ru·mi·nate

Pronunciation: \ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ru·mi·nat·ed; ru·mi·nat·ing

Etymology: Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud

Date: 1533

transitive verb 1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended periodintransitive verb 1 : to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2 : to engage in contemplation : reflect

synonyms see ponder

— ru·mi·na·tion \ˌrü-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

— ru·mi·na·tive \ˈrü-mə-ˌnā-tiv\ adjective

— ru·mi·na·tive·ly adverb

— ru·mi·na·tor \-ˌnā-tər\ noun