ponderment

English

Etymology

From 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^[1], volume I, Manchester, page 14:

     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 April, Robert Bloch, “The Mannikin”, in Weird Tales, volume 29, number 4, page 450:

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

   • 1969, Maya Angelou, chapter 26, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings‎^[2], New York: Bantam, published 1971, page 174:

     Dutifully and in a haze of ponderment I followed.