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Added 9 October 2026

ponder

/ˈpɒn.də/ verb

In Latin: dēlīberō, meditor, pensitō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ponder at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To wonder, think of deeply.
To consider (something) carefully and thoroughly.
I have spent days pondering the meaning of life.
To weigh.

noun

A period of deep thought.
I lit my pipe and had a ponder about it, but reached no definite conclusion.

Origin

From Middle English ponderen, from Old French ponderer (“to weigh, balance, ponder”) from Latin ponderāre (“to weigh, ponder”), from pondus (“weight”), from pendere (“to weigh”); see pendent and pound.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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