Contemplate
/ˈkɑːn.təm.pleɪt/noun
To look at, think about, or consider something carefully.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin contemplari, originally linked to the practice of marking off a templum, a sacred space for watching omens in the sky.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tem-
“to cut; to mark off”
Ancient Latin
Latin
templum
“a consecrated space marked out for observing omens”
Ancient Latin
Latin
contemplārī
“to gaze at attentively; to study, observe”
Old French
Old French
contempler
“to consider deeply; to meditate on”
Middle English
English
contemplen
“to look at attentively; meditate upon”
Modern English
English
contemplate
“to think about carefully; to meditate on”