Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PON'DER, v.t. [L. pondero, from pondo, pondus, a pound; pendeo, pendo, to weigh; and Pers. پِنْدَاشَتَن pindashatan, and بَنْدَازِيدَنْ bandazidan, to think, to consider.]

1. To weigh in the mind; to consider and compare the circumstances or consequences of an event, or the importance of the reasons for or against a decision. Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. – Luke ii.
2. To view with deliberation; to examine. Ponder the path of thy feet. – Prov. iv. The Lord pondereth the hearts. – Prov. xxi. To ponder on, is sometimes used, but is not to be countenanced.