The verb to contemplate, like many other verbs, is easier to define well than to do well. I'll start as difficult as I can.
~ Divine soothsaying in the temple. Have you seen that "contemplate" contains the the makings of the word "temple.'' It does and it can be important. I will add that the "sooth" in "soothsaying" means truth. I find that "Divine soothsaying in the temple." was very like part of an early meaning of "contemplate." So contemplation as a sort of sacred and holy truth telling. Let me add that contemplation is usually a solitary activity. So, contemplation is the holy or sacred duty or intention of telling oneself the truth!
~ Contemplation is also: observing so as to see how future doings and happenings are likely to be. It is unlikely that you will ever to be able to tell the future exactly. But many have believed that the practice of contemplative observation can get you closer and a bit closer,
~ Contemplation can be much like a kind of meditation.
~ With a bit of thought you may see contemplation as a process for interpreting observations. To get you started, consider that you are observing a process, happening, or doing and you think, "Now, what is going on here?" Then you try to answer your question.
~ This meaning has been degraded a bit, but still contains power: Observe omens carefully.
~ So, around home, a good definition might be "To view or consider with continued attention." A bit like "ponder," but to what end?
It takes some time to contemplate. A person interested in contemplation or contemplating will profit by taking time to contemplate, one at a time, the half dozen items above.
RCS