THOUGHT, pret. and pp. of think; pronounced thaut.

THOUGHT, a. thaut. [primarily the passive participle of think, supra.

1. Properly, that which the mind thinks. Thought is either the act or operation of the mind, when attending to a particular subject or thing, or it is the idea consequent on that operation. We say, a man's thoughts are employed on government, on religion, on trade or arts, or his thoughts are employed on his dress or his means of living. By this we mean that the mind is directed to that particular subject or object; that is, according to the literal import of the verb think, the mind, the intellectual part of man, is set upon such an object, it holds it in view or contemplation, or it extends to it, it stretches to it. Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative. – Dwight.
2. Idea; conception. I wish to convey my thoughts to another person. I employ words that express my thoughts, so that he may have the same ideas; in this case, our thoughts will be alike.
3. Fancy; conceit; something framed by the imagination. Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or reject. – Dryden.
4. Reflection; particular consideration. Why do you keep alone? / Using those thoughts which should have died / With them they think on. – Shak.
5. Opinion; judgment. Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thoughts. – Pope.
6. Meditation; serious consideration. Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault, / Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought. – Roscommon.
7. Design; purpose. All their thoughts are against me for evil. – Ps. lvi. xxxiii. Jer. xxix.
8. Silent contemplation. – Shak.
9. Solicitude; care; concern. Hawis was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish before his business came to an end. – Bacon.
10. Inward reasoning; the workings of conscience. Their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another. – Rom. ii.
11. A small degree or quantity; as, a thought longer; a thought better. [Not in use.] – Hooker. Sidney. To take thought, to be solicitous or anxious. – Matth. vi.

1. imp. *** p. p. of Think.
2. The act of thinking; the exercise of the mind in any of its higher forms; reflection; cogitation.
   
   

   Thought can not be superadded to matter, so as in any sense to render it true that matter can become cogitative. Dr. T. Dwight.

3. Meditation; serious consideration.
   
   

   Pride, of all others the most dangerous fault,
   Proceeds from want of sense or want of thought. Roscommon.

4. That which is thought; an idea; a mental conception, whether an opinion, judgment, fancy, purpose, or intention.
   
   

   Thus Bethel spoke, who always speaks his thought. Pope.

   Why do you keep alone, . . .
   Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
   With them they think on? Shak.

   Thoughts come crowding in so fast upon me, that my only difficulty is to choose or to reject. Dryden.

   All their thoughts are against me for evil. Ps. lvi. 5.

5. Solicitude; anxious care; concern.
   
   

   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.

6. A small degree or quantity; a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better.
   
   
   [Colloq.]

   If the hair were a thought browner. Shak.

   * 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 gave the name of the "elaborative faculty," -- the faculty of relations or comparison, -- constitutes what is properly denominated thought. Sir W. Hamilton.

   Syn. -- Idea; conception; imagination; fancy; conceit; notion; supposition; reflection; consideration; meditation; contemplation; cogitation; deliberation.