Thōught1, imp. & p. p.
(thawt), imp. & p. p. of think. See THINK.
2 entries under this word
Thought
Thōught2, n.
(thawt), n. [A-S. theaht, thoht, gethoht, from thencean, thencan, to think, imp. theahte, theaht and thohte, thoht, O. Fries. tochta, thocta, D. gedachte, N. H. Ger. gedanke, bedacht, M. H. Ger. bedāht.]
Sense 1. The act of thinking; the exercise of the mind in any way except sense and perception; reflection.
Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cognitive. Dwight.
Sense 2. Meditation; serious consideration.
Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault, Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought. Roscommon.
Sense 3. That which is thought; a conception; an idea. (a.) An opinion; a conclusion; a judgment.
Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thoughts. Pope.
(b.) A product of the imagination; a conceit; a fancy.
Why do you keep alone, Using those thoughts which should have died With them they think on? Shak.
Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or reject. Dryden.
Sense 4. Design; purpose; intention.
All their thoughts are against me for evil. Ps. lvi. 5.
Sense 5. Solicitude; anxious care; concern. [Obs.]
Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end. Bacon.
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink. Matt. vi. 25.
Which of you, by taking thought, can add one cubit unto his stature? Matt. vi. 27.
Sense 6. A small degree or quantity; as, a thought longer; a thought better. [Colloq.]
☞ Thought, in philosophical usage now somewhat current, denotes the capacity for, or the exercise of, the very highest intellectual functions, especially those usually comprehended under judgment.
This [faculty], to which I give the name of the “elaborative faculty,”—the faculty of relations or comparisons,—constitutes what is properly denominated thought. Sir W. Hamilton.
Synonyms—Idea; conception; imagination; fancy; conceit; notion; supposition; reflection; consideration; meditation; contemplation; cogitation; deliberation.