ruminant
nounUK /ˈruːmɪnənt/
US /ˈruːmənənt/
A ruminant is an animal like a cow that chews its food twice.
The cow is a ruminant that spends hours chewing its cud.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An animal with a four-chambered stomach that digests plant food in stages.
Cattle, sheep, and goats are all ruminants with special stomachs.
3. A person who thinks deeply and carefully about things.
He was a ruminant thinker who pondered every question at length.
4. Relating to or characteristic of cud-chewing animals.
The ruminant digestive system lets animals get more nutrients from grass.