Thinking

Think Think, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thought}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Thinking}.] [OE. thinken, properly, to seem, from AS. [thorn]yncean (cf. {Methinks}), but confounded with OE. thenken to think, fr. AS. [thorn]encean (imp. [thorn][=o]hte); akin to D. denken, dunken, OS. thenkian, thunkian, G. denken, d["u]nken, Icel. [thorn]ekkja to perceive, to know, [thorn]ykkja to seem, Goth. [thorn]agkjan, [thorn]aggkjan, to think, [thorn]ygkjan to think, to seem, OL. tongere to know. Cf. {Thank}, {Thought}.] 1. To seem or appear; -- used chiefly in the expressions methinketh or methinks, and methought. [1913 Webster]

Note: These are genuine Anglo-Saxon expressions, equivalent to it seems to me, it seemed to me. In these expressions me is in the dative case. [1913 Webster]

2. To employ any of the intellectual powers except that of simple perception through the senses; to exercise the higher intellectual faculties. [1913 Webster]

For that I am I know, because I think. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. Specifically: (a) To call anything to mind; to remember; as, I would have sent the books, but I did not think of it. [1913 Webster]

Well thought upon; I have it here. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) To reflect upon any subject; to muse; to meditate; to ponder; to consider; to deliberate. [1913 Webster]

And when he thought thereon, he wept. --Mark xiv. 72. [1913 Webster]

He thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? --Luke xii. 17. [1913 Webster] (c) To form an opinion by reasoning; to judge; to conclude; to believe; as, I think it will rain to-morrow. [1913 Webster]

Let them marry to whom they think best. --Num. xxxvi. 6. [1913 Webster] (d) To purpose; to intend; to design; to mean. [1913 Webster]

I thought to promote thee unto great honor. --Num. xxiv. 11. [1913 Webster]

Thou thought'st to help me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (e) To presume; to venture. [1913 Webster]

Think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father. --Matt. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]

Note: To think, in a philosophical use as yet somewhat limited, designates the higher intellectual acts, the acts pre["e]minently rational; to judge; to compare; to reason. Thinking is employed by Hamilton as ``comprehending all our collective energies.'' It is defined by Mansel as ``the act of knowing or judging by means of concepts,''by Lotze as ``the reaction of the mind on the material supplied by external influences.'' See {Thought}. [1913 Webster]

{To think better of}. See under {Better}.

{To think much of}, or {To think well of}, to hold in esteem; to esteem highly. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To expect; guess; cogitate; reflect; ponder; contemplate; meditate; muse; imagine; suppose; believe. See {Expect}, {Guess}. [1913 Webster]