'Contemplate' began as Roman priests reading omens in a marked-off patch of sky — sacred observation.
To think deeply about something for a long time; to consider as a possibility; to gaze at thoughtfully.
From Latin contemplātus, past participle of contemplārī (to gaze attentively, observe carefully, consider at length), composed of con- (with, intensifying) + templum (a marked-out space for observation, later a temple). The Latin templum was not originally a building but a space — a section of sky marked out by an augur using his staff (lituus) to delineate the zone in which bird flights and other signs would be observed. The word derives from PIE *tem- (to cut) through
A Roman 'templum' was not originally a building but an area of sky marked out by a priest (augur) for watching bird flights and interpreting divine will. The word later transferred to the consecrated ground, then to the building erected on it. To 'contemplate' was to gaze into this sacred observation space.