thought

n. [ OE. þoght, þouht, AS. þōht, geþōht, fr. þencean to think; akin to D. gedachte thought, MHG. dāht, gedāht, Icel. þōttr, þōtti. See Think. ] 1. The act of thinking; the exercise of the mind in any of its higher forms; reflection; cogitation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative. Dr. T. Dwight. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Meditation; serious consideration. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,
Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought. Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is thought; an idea; a mental conception, whether an opinion, judgment, fancy, purpose, or intention. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thought. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why do you keep alone, . . .
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or to reject. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

All their thoughts are against me for evil. Ps. lvi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Solicitude; anxious care; concern. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink. Matt. vi. 25. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A small degree or quantity; a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If the hair were a thought browner. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Thought, in philosophical usage now somewhat current, denotes the capacity for, or the exercise of, the very highest intellectual functions, especially those usually comprehended under judgment. [ 1913 Webster ]

This [ faculty ], to which I gave the name of the “elaborative faculty, ” -- the faculty of relations or comparison, -- constitutes what is properly denominated thought. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Idea; conception; imagination; fancy; conceit; notion; supposition; reflection; consideration; meditation; contemplation; cogitation; deliberation. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Full of thought; employed in meditation; contemplative; as, a man of thoughtful mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

War, horrid war, your thoughtful walks invades. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Attentive; careful; exercising the judgment; having the mind directed to an object; as, thoughtful of gain; thoughtful in seeking truth. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Anxious; solicitous; concerned. [ 1913 Webster ]

Around her crowd distrust, and doubt, and fear,
And thoughtful foresight, and tormenting care. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Considerate; deliberate; contemplative; attentive; careful; wary; circumspect; reflective; discreet. -- Thoughtful, Considerate. He who is habitually thoughtful rarely neglects his duty or his true interest; he who is considerate pauses to reflect and guard himself against error. One who is not thoughtful by nature, if he can be made considerate, will usually be guarded against serious mistakes. “He who is thoughtful does not forget his duty; he who is considerate pauses, and considers properly what is his duty. It is a recommendation to a subordinate person to be thoughtful in doing what is wished of him; it is the recommendation of a confidential person to be considerate, as he has often to judge according to his own discretion.” Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Thought"ful*ly, adv. -- Thought"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. Lacking thought; careless; inconsiderate; rash; as, a thoughtless person, or act. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Giddy; gay; dissipated. [ R. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Deficient in reasoning power; stupid; dull. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thoughtless as monarch oaks that shade the plain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Thought"less*ly, adv. -- Thought"less*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]