1. (

• contemplate

) look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought; "contemplate one's navel" ;

2. (

• contemplate ,

) consider as a possibility; "I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job" ;

3. (

• study ,
• meditate ,
• contemplate

) think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes; "He is meditating in his study" ;

4. (

• chew_over ,
• think_over ,
• meditate ,
• ponder ,
• excogitate ,
• contemplate ,
• muse ,
• reflect ,
• mull ,
• mull_over ,
• ruminate ,
• speculate

) reflect deeply on a subject; "I mulled over the events of the afternoon"; "philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years"; "The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate" ;