rumination

2 definitions found

rumination - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rumination \Ru`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. ruminatio: cf. F.
     rumination.]
     1. The act or process of ruminating, or chewing the cud; the
        habit of chewing the cud.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Rumination is given to animals to enable them at
              once to lay up a great store of food, and afterward
              to chew it.                           --Arbuthnot.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The state of being disposed to ruminate or ponder;
        deliberate meditation or reflection.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Retiring full of rumination sad.      --Thomson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Physiol.) The regurgitation of food from the stomach
        after it has been swallowed, -- occasionally observed as a
        morbid phenomenon in man.
        [1913 Webster]

rumination - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  rumination
      n 1: a calm, lengthy, intent consideration [syn:
           contemplation, reflection, reflexion, rumination,
           musing, thoughtfulness]
      2: (of ruminants) chewing (the cud); "ruminants have remarkable
         powers of rumination"
      3: regurgitation of small amounts of food; seen in some infants
         after feeding