NYT Dictionary

MEDITATE

/ˈmɛ.dɪˌteɪt/
VerbAdjectiveMED-i-tatemed-i-tate · 3 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026

Meaning

To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon something; to study.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

First attested in 1560; borrowed from Latin meditātus, perfect active participle of meditor (“to think or reflect upon, consider, design, purpose, intend”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), morphologically as if frequentative of medeor (“to heal, to cure, to remedy”); in sense and in form near to Ancient Greek μελετάω (meletáō, “to care for, attend to, study, practise, etc.”). Participial usage up until Early Modern English.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

ponderexcogitatecontemplatemusereflectmullruminatespeculatestudybrood

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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