Reflect means, among other things, “think calmly and quietly” its root is from flectere (meaning “bend”), which is also the source of flex. A similar term with the same etymological origin is perpend. Ponder has the connotation of carefully weighing a problem (as a matter of fact, ponder stems from the Latin verb ponderare, meaning “weigh,” and is related to ponderous), with the implication of extended inconclusive thinking. Mull, from the Middle English noun mul, meaning “dust,” is cognate with meal and refers not only to lengthy consideration but also to grinding. ( Meditate is derived from the Latin verb mederi, meaning “remedy,” and is related to medical and medicine.) To meditate is to focus one’s thoughts on something the word, which can, alternatively, allude to planning, also refers to a mental exercise conducted in order to achieve a high state of spiritual awareness. (The derivation is from deliberare, meaning “consider carefully,” the root is possibly libra, meaning “pound” or “scale,” with the sense of weighing.) An additional sense is “discuss before making a decision,” as when a legislative body meets to decide about whether to pass a law. To cogitate is to think deeply and intently the root of the word, which is unrelated to cognition (which refers to knowledge rather than thinking), stems from agitare (meaning “drive”), from which we also get agitate.Ĭontemplate connotes thought that is extensive as well as deep another sense is “view as possible or probable.” The root of contemplatus, the Latin source word, is templum, the word for a place where omens are observed it is cognate with temple.ĭeliberate means to think carefully, as implied by its source, the adjective deliberate.
The bland verb think (from the Old English word thencan, and cognate with thank) is easily supplanted by any one of an impressive assortment of synonyms, each of which has a precise connotation think cannot match.