From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Contemplate \Con"tem*plate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Contemplated (# or #); p. pr. & vb. n. Contemplating.]
[L. contemplatus, p. p. of contemplari to contemplate; con- +
templum a space for observation marked out by the augur. See
Temple.]
1. To look at on all sides or in all its bearings; to view or
consider with continued attention; to regard with
deliberate care; to meditate on; to study.
[1913 Webster]
To love, at least contemplate and admire,
What I see excellent.
--Milton.
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We thus dilate
Our spirits to the size of that they contemplate.
--Byron.
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2. To consider or have in view, as contingent or probable; to
look forward to; to purpose; to intend.
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There remain some particulars to complete the
information contemplated by those resolutions. --A.
Hamilton.
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If a treaty contains any stipulations which
contemplate a state of future war. --Kent.
Syn: To view; behold; study; ponder; muse; meditate on;
reflect on; consider; intend; design; plan; propose;
purpose. See Meditate.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Contemplate \Con"tem*plate\, v. i.
To consider or think studiously; to ponder; to reflect; to
muse; to meditate.
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So many hours must I contemplate. --Shak.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
contemplate
v 1: look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought; "contemplate
one's navel"
2: consider as a possibility; "I contemplated leaving school and
taking a full-time job"
3: think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes; "He
is meditating in his study" [syn: study, meditate,
contemplate]
4: 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" [syn: chew over, {think
over}, meditate, ponder, excogitate, contemplate,
muse, reflect, mull, mull over, ruminate,
speculate]