Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ponderous, adj. [Fr. pondéreux < L. ponderōsus; see ponder, v.] (webplay: feet, weights).

1. Bulky; huge; grave; dull; tedious; daunting; intimidating; overwhelming.
2. Slow; dense; deliberate; sluggish; laborious.
3. Heavy; weighty; serious; concerned with important matters; [fig.] preoccupied; lost in thought.