Definition of: ruminate

(r′mə·nāt) v.t. & v.i. ·nat·ed, ·nat·ing
1. To chew (food previously swallowed and regurgitated) over again; chew (the cud).
2. To meditate or reflect (upon); ponder. See synonyms under MUSE.
—adjective Perforated or mottled, as the albumen of a betelnut or nutmeg: also ru′mi·nat′ed. [<L ruminatus, pp. of ruminare. See RUMINANT.]
—ru′mi·nat′ing·ly adverb
—ru′mi·na′tive adjective
—ru′mi·na′tive·ly adverb
—ru′mi·na′tor noun