Word – Ruminate

Ruminate – Word of the Day

Meaning:

1. To think deeply about something
2. To chew for a long time/chew the cud(for a grass-eating animal)

Origin:

This word was first used in the mid 16th century, and originates from the Latin word ruminare, which means to “chew the cud”. The root word is rumen, which is the first stomach of a grass-eating animal.

Usage:

1. I have ruminated for months about whether to tell him about my pregnancy.
2. I suggest the committee ruminate over the implications of its decision to permit fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
3. Our ethics class had us ruminating on the nature of morality.
4. The Clinton campaign should ruminate on whether its statements were a bit too incendiary in this sensitive climate.
5. It is counterproductive to ruminate over mistakes that have already happened.
6. One of my favourite things to do is to pour myself a drink and ruminate on the positive events of the day.
7. I had to ruminate on my job offer for a few days.
8. The meat of ruminating animals – animals that chew the cud – is an important part of our diet.
9. Last Sunday’s church sermon was so impactful, that the members of the congregation were ruminating on it for the next few days.