contemplation Hear it!

contemplation Definition

con·tem·pla·tion (kän′təm plās̸hən)

noun

  1. thoughtful inspection, study, etc.
  2. religious or mystical meditation
  3. expectation or intention

Etymology: ME contemplacion < OFr < L contemplatio

contemplation Synonyms

contemplation

n.

  1. Meditation

    consideration, reflection, study; see reflection 1, thought 1.

  2. Intention

    design, expectation, ambition; see anticipation 1, plan 2, purpose 1.

contemplation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • proceeding: The Act deals differently with statements contained in general business documents and statements made in contemplation of criminal proceedings.
  • marriage: When you plan to marry there is an alternative that allows you to make a Will in contemplation of marriage.
  • truth: There's nothing to touch your emotions except the contemplation of truth.
  • party: In contract, the damages are limited to what may reasonably be supposed to have been in the contemplation of the parties.
  • nature: There should be joy and satisfaction and the enjoyment and contemplation of nature, artistry and beauty.
  • object: The contemplation of objects, the images that soar from the reveries they have induced, constitute the song.

Converse of object

  • invite: At the turn of the millenium, the Congress invites contemplation of landmarks in the long history of humanity.
  • encourage: Keir Smith's installation has restored the itinerary of the original design, encouraging contemplation on the construction of meaning.
  • bear: What he would say of Oxford literary criticism today hardly bears contemplation.
  • provoke: The effect is to provoke deeper contemplation in the mind of the reader; language truly is endlessly complex!
  • require: Broken is often a frustrating read in that each chapter requires contemplation due to the thought-provoking themes it touches upon.

Adjective modifier

  • heavenly: Thus you see the powerful tendency of consideration to produce this great elevation of the soul in heavenly contemplation.
  • quiet: Then followed a period of quiet contemplation to end the ceremony.
  • silent: In silent contemplation, we can be mindful of the gap.
  • esthetic: Indeed, most of them were not made to become subject to esthetic contemplation in Western art museums.
  • solitary: It is designed to accommodate activity ranging from a large celebration to solitary contemplation.
  • passive: Isolated individuals, united only by a passive contemplation of the spectacle.

Modifies a noun

  • stage: The results of the questionnaire indicate that Dan is in the contemplation stage, not ready to make the changes.
  • room: UCL does have a contemplation room open to all, in Hut 34.