mulling

¹

[muhl-ing]

noun

1. the act of reflecting or ruminating carefully on something (often followed byover ).

   After reading that book on simplifying life, I’ve been doing some heavy mulling and pondering.

adjective

1. reflecting or ruminating carefully on something.

   News hound, artist, analyst, or mulling philosopher—all will find this man’s story an unparalleled feast.

mulling

²

[muhl-ing]

noun

1. the act or process of heating wine, cider, ale, etc., sweetening it, and flavoring it with spices.

   Their gourmet spice blends carry the strong flavor needed for the mulling of wines, ciders, or juices.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mulling¹

First recorded in 1885–90; mull ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; mull ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Origin of mulling²

mull ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Neither experience is medically dangerous, though the person in question may find themselves mulling things over for a good while afterward.

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A sales associate presented it to me and encouraged me to try it on, letting me spend time mulling it over.

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Now, more than a dozen US states are openly mulling plans to redraw voting lines - known as political gerrymandering.

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After mulling things over, I felt I wanted to change my choice but when I called back I was told by another representative presumably higher up the food chain that this was not so.

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The man stroked his chin, mulling over his options, until the children blurted out, “Just fix her!”

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