ru|mi|nant

ru|mi|nant «ROO muh nuhnt», noun, adjective.

–n.

an animal that chews the cud. Cows, sheep, and camels are ruminants. The ruminants comprise a suborder of even-toed, hoofed, herbivorous mammals, having a stomach with four or three separate cavities. The group also includes deer, goats, and giraffes.

–adj.

1. belonging to the group of ruminants.

2. chewing the cud; ruminating.

3. Figurative. meditative; reflective. SYNONYM(S): contemplative, musing.

╂[< Latin rūmināns, -antis, present participle of rūmināre to chew a cud < rūmen, -inis gullet]

–ru´mi|nant|ly, adverb.