† conˈtemple, v. Obs.
Also 6 Sc. contempil.
[a. F. contemple-r, ad. L. contemplāre, orig. deponent contemplārī, to survey, observe, behold, consider, contemplate, f. con- + templum ‘an open place for observation, marked out by the augur with his staff’ (see temple).]
trans. To contemplate; to observe, consider, meditate upon.
| 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) iv. xxix. 341 Contemple, and esmaruayll the grete and incomprenable dyfference. c 1532 G. Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 897 The causes..contempled and consydered. 1549 Compl. Scot. vii. 70 Sche began to contempil the vidthrid barran feildis. 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. ii. iv. (1641) 135/1 So ravished, I may at rest contemple The Starry Arches of thy stately Temple. |
Hence † conˈtempling (in Sc. -ene) vbl. n.
| 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 46 The lang studie and contemplene of the sternis. |