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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Thought


THOUGHT, preterit tense and participle passive of think; pronounced thaut.

THOUGHT, adjective thaut. [primarily the passive participle of think, supra.

1. Properly, that which the mind thinks. thought is either the act or operation of the mind, when attending to a particular subject or thing or it is the idea consequent on that operation.

We say, a man's thoughts are employed on government, on religion, on trade or arts, or his thoughts are employed on his dress or his means of living. By this we mean that the mind is directed to that particular subject or object; that is, according to the literal import of the verb think, the mind, the intellectual part of man, is set upon such an object, it holds it in view or contemplation, or it extends to it, it stretches to it.

THOUGHT cannot be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative.

2. Idea; conception. I wish to convey my thoughts to another person. I employ words that express my thoughts, so that he may have the same ideas; in this case, our thoughts will be alike.

3. Fancy; conceit; something framed by the imagination.

THOUGHTs come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or reject.

4. Reflection; particular consideration.

Why do you keep alone?

Using those thoughts which should have died

With them they think on.

5. Opinion; judgment.

Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thoughts.

6. Meditation; serious consideration.

Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,

Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought

7. Design; purpose.

All their thoughts are against me for evil. Psalms 56:5.

Jeremiah 29:11.

8. Silent contemplation.

9. Solicitude; care; concern.

Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end.

10. Inward reasoning; the workings of conscience.

Their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another. Romans 2:15.

11. A small degree or quantity; as a thought longer; a thought better. [Not in use.]

To take thought to be solicitous or anxious. Matthew 6:25.