ponder: [14] To ponder something is etymologically to ‘weigh’ it up. The word comes via Old French ponderer from Latin ponderāre ‘weigh’, hence ‘consider’ (source also of English preponderate [17]). This was derived from pondus ‘weight’ (source of English ponderous [14]), a relative of pendere ‘weigh’ (source of English compendium [16], compensate [17], dispense, expense, pansy, pension [14], pensive [14], peseta [19], poise [15], and spend) and pendēre ‘hang’ (from which English gets pendant, pendulum, etc).
Also closely related is English pound, the unit of weight. => compendium, compensate, dispense, expense, pansy, pendant, pendulum, pension, pensive, peseta, poise, pound, preponderate, spend
ponder (v.)
early 14c., "to estimate the worth of, to appraise," from Old French ponderer "to weigh, poise" (14c., Modern French pondérer) and directly from Latin ponderare "ponder, consider, reflect," literally "to weigh," from pondus (genitive ponderis) "weigh" (see pound (n.1)). Meaning "to weigh a matter mentally" is attested from late 14c. Related: Pondered; pondering; ponderation.
双语例句
1. The visitor can ponder over the boomerangs used by aborigines at the time of Cook.
来访者可以琢磨琢磨土著人在库克时期用的回飞镖.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. They would do well to pause and ponder upon their new responsibilities.
人们最好还是停一停,好好地想一想自己所负的新责任.
来自辞典例句
3. Face west, all you plump old men, and ponder your tropic fates.
