ponderous definition

1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous load; the ponderous elephant. "The sepulcher . . . Hath oped his ponderous and marble jaws." (Shak)

2. Important; momentous; forcible. "Your more ponderous and settled project."

3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous style; a ponderous joke.

<chemical>

Ponderous spar, heavy spar, or barytes. See Barite.

Origin: L. Ponderosus, from pondus, -eris, a weight: cf. F. Pondereux. See Ponder.

(01 Mar 1998)