ponderment

English

Etymology

ponder +‎ -ment

Noun

ponderment (uncountable)

1. A mental state characterized by pondering; a feeling of doubt and curiosity.
   • 1773, John Byrom “A Full and True Account, Of an Horrid and Barbarous Robbery, Committed on Epping Forest, Upon the Body of the Cambridge Coach” in Miscellaneous Poems, Manchester, Volume I, p. 14,^[1]

     Now, while in deep and serious Ponderment

     I watch’d the Motions of his next Intent,

     He wheel’d about, as one full bent to try

     The Matter in Dispute ’twixt him and I;

   • 1937, Robert Bloch, “The Mannikin” in Weird Tales, Volume 29, Number 4, April 1937, p. 450,^[2]

     My bewildered mind was deep in ponderment, and the distant croaking of ravens blended in evil litany with my thoughts.

   • 1969, Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, New York: Bantam, 1971, Chapter 26, p. 174,^[3]

     Dutifully and in a haze of ponderment I followed.