from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ponder \Pon"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pondered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pondering}.] [L. ponderare, fr. pondus, ponderis, a
weight, fr. pendere to weigh: cf. F. pond['e]rer. See
{Pendant}, and cf. {Pound} a weight.]
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1. To weigh. [Obs.]
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2. To weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to
examine carefully; to consider attentively.
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Ponder the path of thy feet. --Prov. iv.
26.
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Syn: To {Ponder}, {Consider}, {Muse}.
Usage: To consider means to view or contemplate with fixed
thought. To ponder is to dwell upon with long and
anxious attention, with a view to some practical
result or decision. To muse is simply to think upon
continuously with no definite object, or for the
pleasure it gives. We consider any subject which is
fairly brought before us; we ponder a concern
involving great interests; we muse on the events of
childhood.
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