from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ponderous \Pon"der*ous\, a. [L. ponderosus, from pondus, -eris,
a weight: cf. F. pond['e]reux. See {Ponder}.]
1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous
load; the ponderous elephant.
[1913 Webster]
The sepulcher . . .
Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and
settled project." --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous
style; a ponderous joke.
[1913 Webster]
{Ponderous spar} (Min.), heavy spar, or barytes. See
{Barite}.
[1913 Webster]