definition of
contemplate

[1] #1 contemplate v. look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought; "contemplate one's navel". wn

[2] #2 contemplate v. consider as a possibility; "I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job". wn

[3] #3 contemplate v. [study, meditate] think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes; "He is meditating in his study". wn

[4] #4 contemplate v. [chew over, think over, meditate, ponder, excogitate, muse, reflect, mull, mull over, ruminate, speculate] 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". wn