ruminant

[ roo-muh-nuh nt ]
/ ˈru mə nənt /

noun

any even-toed, hoofed mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, being comprised of cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing quadrupeds, and including, besides domestic cattle, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, camels, and chevrotains.

adjective

ruminating; chewing the cud.
contemplative; meditative: a ruminant scholar.

Origin of ruminant

1655–65; < Latin rūminant- (stem of rūmināns, present participle of rūminārī, rūmināre to chew cud, meditate), equivalent to rūmin- (stem of rūmen) rumen + -ant- -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM ruminant

ru·mi·nant·ly, adverb non·ru·mi·nant, noun, adjective un·ru·mi·nant, adjective

Words nearby ruminant

Example sentences from the Web for non-ruminant

British Dictionary definitions for non-ruminant

ruminant
/ (ˈruːmɪnənt) /

noun

any artiodactyl mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, the members of which chew the cud and have a stomach of four compartments, one of which is the rumen. The group includes deer, antelopes, cattle, sheep, and goats
any other animal that chews the cud, such as a camel

adjective

of, relating to, or belonging to the suborder Ruminantia
(of members of this suborder and related animals, such as camels) chewing the cud; ruminating
meditating or contemplating in a slow quiet way

Medical definitions for non-ruminant

ruminant
[ rōōmə-nənt ]

n.

Any of various hoofed, even-toed, usually horned mammals of the suborder Ruminantia, such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and giraffes, characteristically having a stomach divided into four compartments and chewing a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food.

Scientific definitions for non-ruminant

ruminant
[ rōōmə-nənt ]

Any of various even-toed hoofed mammals of the suborder Ruminantia. Ruminants usually have a stomach divided into four compartments (called the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum), and chew a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, giraffes, antelopes, and camels.