Part 403

Prov. iv. 26.

Syn. -- To Ponder, Consider, Muse. To consider means to view or contemplate with fixed thought. To ponder is to dwell upon with long and anxious attention, with a view to some practical result or decision. To muse is simply to think upon continuously with no definite object, or for the pleasure it gives. We consider any subject which is fairly brought before us; we ponder a concern involving great interests; we muse on the events of childhood.

Pon"der, v. i. To think; to deliberate; to muse; -- usually followed by on or over. Longfellow.

Pon`der*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. pondÈrabilitÈ.] The quality or state of being ponderable.

Pon"der*a*ble (?), a. [L. ponderabilis: cf. F. pondÈrable.] Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight. -- Pon"der*a*ble*ness, n.

Pon"der*al (?), a. [Cf. F. pondÈral.] Estimated or ascertained by weight; -- distinguished from numeral; as, a ponderal drachma. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Pon"der*ance (?), n. [L. ponderans, p. pr. of ponderare to weigh: cf. OF. ponderant of weight.] Weight; gravity. [R.] Gregory.

Pon"der*a*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to weight; as, a ponderary system. [R.] M'Culloch.

Pon"der*ate (?), v. t. [L. ponderatus, p. p. of ponderare. See Ponder.] To consider; to ponder. [R.]

Pon"der*ate, v. i. To have weight or influence. [R.]

Pon`der*a"tion (?), n. [L. ponderatio: cf. F. pondÈration.] The act of weighing. [R.] Arbuthnot.

Pon"der*er (?), n. One who ponders.

Pon"der*ing, a. Deliberating. -- Pon"der*ing*ly, adv.

Pon`der*os"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Ponderosities (#). [OF. ponderositÈ.] The quality or state of being ponderous; weight; gravity; heaviness, ponderousness; as, the ponderosity of gold. Ray.

Pon"der*ous (?), a. [L. ponderosus, from pondus, -eris, a weight: cf. F. pondÈreux. See Ponder.] 1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant.

The sepulcher . . . Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws.

Shak.

2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and settled project." Shak.

3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke.

Ponderous spar (Min.), heavy spar, or barytes. See Barite.

Pon"der*ous*ly, adv. In a ponderous manner.

Pon"der*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being ponderous; ponderosity.

Pond"fish` (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Any one of numerous species of American fresh-water fishes belonging to the family CentrarchidÊ; -- called also pond perch, and sunfish.

The common pondfish of New England (Lepomis gibbosus) is called also bream, pumpkin seed, and sunny. See Sunfish. The long-eared pondfish (Lepomis auritus) of the Eastern United States is distinguished by its very long opercular flap.

Pond"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) Any aquatic plant of the genus Potamogeton, of which many species are found in ponds or slow-moving rivers.

Choke pondweed, an American water weed (Anarcharis, or Elodea, Canadensis.) See Anacharis. -- Horned pondweed, the Zannichellia palustris, a slender, branching aquatic plant, having pointed nutlets.

Pone (pn), n. [Of Amer. Indian origin.] A kind of johnnycake. [Written also paune.] [Southern U. S.]

Po"nent (?), a. [OF., fr. It. ponente, properly, setting (applied to the setting sun), fr. L. ponens, p. pr. of ponere to set, put.] Western; occidental. [R.]