ruminant

[ roo-muh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. any even-toed, hoofed mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, consisting of the cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing quadrupeds, including cattle, sheep, goats, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, and chevrotains.

adjective

1. being or relating to animals that ruminate or chew the cud, typically those of the suborder Ruminantia:

   Methane emissions from ruminant animals represent a quarter of all methane emissions in the region.

2. contemplative; meditative:

   In a corner of the library, a ruminant scholar sat poring over a thick book.

ruminant

/ ˈruːmɪnənt /

noun

1. any artiodactyl mammal of the suborder Ruminantia , the members of which chew the cud and have a stomach of four compartments, one of which is the rumen. The group includes deer, antelopes, cattle, sheep, and goats
2. any other animal that chews the cud, such as a camel

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the suborder Ruminantia
2. (of members of this suborder and related animals, such as camels) chewing the cud; ruminating
3. meditating or contemplating in a slow quiet way

ruminant

/ ro̅o̅′mə-nənt /

1. Any of various even-toed hoofed mammals of the suborder Ruminantia. Ruminants usually have a stomach divided into four compartments (called the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum), and chew a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, giraffes, antelopes, and camels.

Other Words From

• ru·mi·nant·ly adverb
• non·ru·mi·nant noun adjective
• un·ru·mi·nant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruminant¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin rūminant-, stem of rūmināns “chewing cud,” present participle of rūmināre, rūminārī “to chew cud, meditate,” verb derivative of rūmin-, stem of rūmen rumen

Example Sentences

Farming is currently responsible for around 12% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly nitrous oxide from fertilisers and manure and methane from ruminant livestock, as well as carbon dioxide - to a much lesser extent - from energy and fuel.

From BBC

The analyses allowed researchers to distinguish residual fats derived from milk, ruminant and non-ruminant animals, as well as of marine or plant origin.

From Science Daily

In addition to their association with the destruction of natural habitat, cows and other ruminant animals emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as they digest grasses.

From Science Daily

From the small ossicones on a giraffe to the gigantic antlers of a male moose -- which can grow as wide as a car -- the headgear of ruminant hooved mammals is extremely diverse, and new research suggests that despite the physical differences, fundamental aspects of these bony adaptations likely evolved from a common ancestor.

From Science Daily

There are about 170 modern ruminant hoofed mammal species with headgear, and many more in the fossil record.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• introspective
• pensive
• reflective