Thursday word: perpend

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

perpend (per-PEND) - v., to consider, ponder, reflect carefully.


Can be both transitive and intransitive. Dates from at least the 1520s, though one dictionary claims 15th century, and since usage notes cite Hamlet, it'll stick around in dictionaries, if only to gloss the Shakespeare. From Latin perpendere, from per-, thoroughly + pendere, to weigh. For usage, consider Polonius:

Perpend:
I have a daughter,—have whilst she is mine,—
Who, in her duty and obedience, mark,
Hath given me this

---L.