ruminative, a.
(ˈruːmɪneɪtɪv)
[f. ruminate v. + -ive.]
Contemplative, meditative.
| 1841 Hor. Smith Moneyed Man III. xi. 305 Our minds becoming ruminative, we find a calm delight in chewing the cud of memory. 1855 A. Manning O. Chelsea Bun-ho. xii. 207 [She] was a ruminative woman of few words. 1881 Harper's Monthly LXIII. 353 The flabby judge sat awhile ruminative. |
Hence ˈruminatively adv.
| 1888 Farjeon Miser Farebrother II. xix. 253 ‘A long way off,’ said Jeremiah ruminatively. 1893 F. Adams New Egypt 173 Nubar reposes ruminatively on the shelf. |