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meditate (v.)[meditate 词源字典]: 1580s, "to ponder," back-formation from meditation, or else from Latin meditatus, past participle of meditari (see meditation). Related: Meditated; meditating.[meditate etymology, meditate origin, 英语词源]
meditation (n.): c. 1200, "contemplation; devout preoccupation; devotions, prayer," from Old French meditacion "thought, reflection, study," and directly from Latin meditationem (nominative meditatio) "a thinking over, meditation," noun of action from past participle stem of meditari "to meditate, think over, reflect, consider," frequentative form from PIE root *med- "to measure, limit, consider, advise, take appropriate measures" (cognates: Greek medesthai "think about," medon "ruler;" Latin modus "measure, manner," modestus "moderate," modernus "modern," mederi "to heal," medicus "physician;" Sanskrit midiur "I judge, estimate;" Welsh meddwl "mind, thinking;" Gothic miton, Old English metan "to measure;" also see medical).

Meaning "discourse on a subject" is early 14c.; meaning "act of meditating, continuous calm thought upon some subject" is from late 14c. The Latin verb also had stronger senses: "plan, devise, practice, rehearse, study."
premeditate (v.): 1540s, from pre- + meditate, or a back formation from premeditation, or else from Latin praemeditatus, past participle of praemeditari "to think over." Related: Premeditated; premeditating.
rumination (n.): c. 1600, "act of ruminating; act of meditating," from Latin ruminationem (nominative ruminatio) "a chewing the cud," noun of action from past participle stem of ruminare (see ruminate).