Thinking deeply and carefully about something for a long time.
From Latin 'contemplari' (con- 'together' + templum 'sacred space'), literally meaning to observe within a sacred space. The word evolved to mean deep, focused thinking.
The original 'contemplare' referred to Roman priests observing the sky in a marked-out sacred space to interpret divine will—so contemplation literally started as a spiritual/astronomical practice, which is why it feels so profound.
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