rumination Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
contemplation; reflection; reflexion; musing; thoughtfulness.
noun (of ruminants) chewing (the cud)
- ruminants have remarkable powers of rumination
noun regurgitation of small amounts of food; seen in some infants after feeding

L. ruminatio: cf. F. rumination.

The act or process of ruminating, or chewing the cud; the habit of chewing the cud.
Rumination is given to animals to enable them at once to lay up a great store of food, and afterward to chew it. Arbuthnot.
The state of being disposed to ruminate or ponder; deliberate meditation or reflection.
Retiring full of rumination sad. Thomson.
(Physiol.) The regurgitation of food from the stomach after it has been swallowed, -- occasionally oberved as a morbid phenomenon in man.