cogitative

American  

[koj-i-tey-tiv] / ˈkɒdʒ ɪˌteɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. meditating; contemplating.

   The cogitative faculty distinguishes humans from animals.

2. given to meditation; thoughtful.

   The leaders sat in cogitative silence.

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cogitative British  

/ ˈkɒdʒɪtətɪv /

adjective

1. capable of thinking

2. thoughtful

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Other Word Forms

• cogitatively adverb
• cogitativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of cogitative

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin cōgitātīvus, equivalent to cōgitāt(us) ( see cogitate) + -īvus adjective suffix ( see -ive)

Example Sentences

But differences emerged in the slower, more effortful cogitative phase that followed, leading to divergent success rates in the end: 18 percent for the mathematics students versus 6 percent for the history students.

From New York Times • Apr. 13, 2018

His saxophone emits a broad and smoky sound, with a measured inflection that gives the music an unhurried, cogitative pacing.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2017

He pushed his helmet back on his head, a cogitative move.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

It was not articulate, like the vocal speech of our time, but tacit, being effected, not by external, but by internal respiration, consequently it was a cogitative speech.

From Earths In Our Solar System Which Are Called Planets, and Earths In The Starry Heaven Their Inhabitants, And The Spirits And Angels There by Swedenborg, Emanuel

His hands were clasped behind him, and his head was bent down as if he were in a profoundly cogitative mood.

From The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax by Lee, Holme, [pseud.]