ruminate

/ˈrü-mə-ˌnāt/

Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud

verb

  1. to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly

  2. to chew repeatedly for an extended period

  3. to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud

ponder meditate muse ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter. meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.