meditation English · revision 15169

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1225|origins=ine-pro *med-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌmed.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|meditacioun]], [[bor|fro|meditacion|t=thought, reflection, study]] and directly [[la|meditātiō|t=a thinking over]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|meditor|t=to meditate, think over, reflect]] (see [[meditate]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from a frequentative form of [[ine-pro|*med-|t=to take appropriate measures]].^(Etymonline) The Latin verb also had the stronger senses to plan, devise, practise and rehearse.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A discourse treating a subject, usually religious, in a meditative way: before 1225 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Etymonline gives contemplation, devout preoccupation and private devotion, about 1200.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The devotional exercise of contemplating a religious theme is from before 1340,^(OED 1989) and continuous calm thought on a subject from 1390 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The theme of one's meditation is from 1560.^(OED 1989) Today the word is also used of contemplation as a spiritual practice.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – contemplation, devotion.^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1225 – a meditative discourse.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1340 – a devotional exercise.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1390 – continuous thought.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1560 – the theme of meditation.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of meditating; [[contemplation]] or reflection.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Contemplation of spiritual matters, especially as a religious practice or devotional exercise.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A contemplative [[discourse]], usually on a religious or philosophical subject.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[meditational]]

+ * [[transcendental meditation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[meditate]]

+ * [[meditative]]

+ * [[premeditation]]

+ * [[medicine]]

+ * [[modest]]

+ * [[mode]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}