a. [f. THOUGHT1 + -FUL.] Full of or characterized by thought, in various senses.
1. Given to, disposed to, or engaged in thinking; absorbed in thought; meditative, contemplative; pensive, musing; full of thoughts, preoccupied in mind, hence, in quot. 1656, absent-minded. Also transf. of personal attributes, actions, etc.
c. 1200. Ormin, 3423. Ure laffdiȝ Marȝe toc All þatt ȝho sahh & herrde,… & leȝȝde itt all tosamenn aȝȝ I swiþe þohhtfull heorrie.
1552. Huloet, Thoughtfull, cogitabundus, meditabundus.
1656. Stanley, Hist. Philos., IV. (1701), 152/2. He was so thoughtful, that going to put Incense into a Censer, he put it besides.
1704. Pope, Windsor Forest, 249. Wand’ring thoughtful in the silent wood. Ibid. (1722), 1st Chorus Trag. Brutus, 7. War, horrid war, your thoughtful walks invades.
1805. H. K. White, Lett., to B. Haddock, 18 Oct. My silent and thoughtful cup of tea.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, iii. Her calm and thoughtful look.
b. Disposed to think about or consider matters; prudent; reflective. Also transf. Characterized by reflection; manifesting thought or consideration.
13[?]. Cursor M., 11404 (Cott.). Þai ordeind tuelue, Þe thoghtfulest a-mang þam-selue.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel., x. (1535), F ij b. This emperour was so thoughtfull in the orderynge and teachynge of his children, that [etc.].
1736. Butler, Anal., II. viii. Wks. 1874, I. 292. Objections, which may appear very material to thoughtful men.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, xiv. 200. Thoughtful persons … had heard of these doings with uneasiness.
1884. F. Temple, Relat. Relig. & Sci. (1885), 5. Not beyond the reach of thoughtful inquiry.
c. With inf., dependent cl., or of: (a) Careful, heedful; (b) Having the intention or purpose, aiming at or desirous of something; (c) Thinking about or meditating on something; mindful. Now rare or Obs. (See also 3.)
[c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xvi. (Magdalena), 552. I … prays [= pray] þe Þat þu wil thochtful one me be.]
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., IV. v. 73. For this, they haue beene thoughtfull, to inuest Their Sonnes with Arts, and Martiall Exercises.
1621. T. Williamson, trans. Goulart’s Wise Vieillard, 105. They are much more thoughtfull of their minde.
1715. J. Chappelow, Rt. Way Rich (1717), 138. The believer … is thoughtful to have a … fuller view of him [Christ].
1726. Leoni, Alberti’s Archit., I. 93/2. A Prisoner always thoughtful of his liberty and safety.
1821. Examiner, 252/1. Thoughtful of enjoyments for ever left behind.
† 2. Full of mental trouble; anxious; sorrowful, melancholy, moody. Also transf. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11140. He wex thoghtful and likand ill.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. ix. (Skeat), l. 185. For her hast thou suffred many thoughtfull diseases.
c. 1430. Diatorie, 6, in Babees Bk., 54. Not pensif ne þouȝtful for ony sodein chaunce.
c. 1500. Melusine, 26. In this dolour & woo was Raymondyn a longe space of tyme, & was moche þoughtfull & wroth.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. v. 6. The merry soul is freer from intended mischief than the thoughtful man.
1744. M. Bishop, Life & Adv., viii. 117. Something to divert my Mother and Wife who were both prodigiously thoughtful.
3. Showing thought or consideration for others; considerate, kindly.
1851. Brimley, Ess., Wordsw., 155. Rich in thoughtful affection.
1863. Mrs. Gaskell, Sylvia’s L., iii. In his thoughtful wish of escorting them through the streets of the rough, riotous town.
Mod. She is very unselfish and thoughtful of others.
† 4. Capable of thought; conscious, intelligent. Obs. rare–1.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 134. To think, that body may be thoughtful too, and any ways aware.
5. Comb., as thoughtful-browed, -looking.
a. 1849. J. C. Mangan, Lay Bell, Poems (1859), 35. He alone is thoughtfulsouled.
1904. Westm. Gaz., 9 Dec., 6/3. Great, round, thoughtful-looking heads.
