Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TEM-PLA'TION, n. [L. contemplatio.]

1. The act of the mind in considering with attention; meditation; study; continued attention of the mind to a particular subject. Contemplation is keeping the idea, brought into the mind, some time actually in view. – Locke.
2. Holy meditation; attention to sacred things; a particular application of the foregoing definition. To have in contemplation, to intend or purpose, or to have under consideration.