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ponder

[ pon-der ]
/ ˈpɒn dər /
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verb (used without object)

to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon).

verb (used with object)

to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.

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RELATED WORDS

consider, mull, contemplate, evaluate, deliberate, reflect, examine, weigh, speculate, brood, cerebrate, figure, daydream, debate, study, mind, moon, muse, excogitate, revolve

Nearby words

  1. pond lily,
  2. pond scum,
  3. pond snail,
  4. pond-apple,
  5. pond-skater,
  6. ponderable,
  7. ponderance,
  8. ponderosa,
  9. ponderosa pine,
  10. ponderosity

Origin of ponder

1300–50; Middle English pondren < Middle French ponderer < Latin ponderāre to ponder, weigh; akin to pendēre to be suspended, hang (see pend)
Related formspon·der·er, nounre·pon·der, verb (used without object)un·pon·dered, adjectivewell-pon·dered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ponder

British Dictionary definitions for ponder

ponder

/ (ˈpɒndə) /

verb

(when intr, sometimes foll by on or over) to give thorough or deep consideration (to); meditate (upon)

Word Origin for ponder

C14: from Old French ponderer, from Latin ponderāre to weigh, consider, from pondus weight; related to pendere to weigh
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ponder

ponder

v.

early 14c., "to estimate the worth of, to appraise," from Old French ponderer "to weigh, poise" (14c., Modern French pondérer) and directly from Latin ponderare "ponder, consider, reflect," literally "to weigh," from pondus (genitive ponderis) "weigh" (see pound (n.1)). Meaning "to weigh a matter mentally" is attested from late 14c. Related: Pondered; pondering; ponderation.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper