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musing

[myoo-zing]
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adjective
  1. absorbed in thought; meditative.
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noun
  1. contemplation; reflection.
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Origin of musing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at muse, -ing2, -ing1
Related formsmus·ing·ly, adverbun·mus·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for musingly

Historical Examples

  • "Oh, there were a lot of things combined to send me to the woods," he said, musingly.

    With Trapper Jim in the North Woods

    Lawrence J. Leslie

  • They had lain in the trunk a long time undisturbed; and he examined them musingly.

  • "I begin to understand matters," rejoined the invalid, musingly.

  • "I'm afraid I made a mistake, changin' that sign," he said, musingly.

    Shavings

    Joseph C. Lincoln

  • "Yes, it was very nice of him to remember her," said Electra, musingly.

    Victor's Triumph

    Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

Word Origin and History for musingly

musing

n.

late 14c., "complaint," verbal noun from muse (v.). Meaning "pondering" is from mid-15c. Related: Musingly; musings.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper