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Spain mulls action over blame for E. coli outbreak

Source: Reuters

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Couldn't find on Google define: – Jader Dias May 30 '11 at 18:29
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It's probably being used in this way because it provides a short snappy response. In spoken English, you're more likely to hear "She's considering how to respond" rather than "she's mulling action", although both are grammatical. – Christi May 31 '11 at 17:12

2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Mull, in this case, means 'to consider'.

Thus:

Spain considers action over blame for E.coli outbreak

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The OED gives meaning "mull" 4.1.b. trans. U.S. To consider, ponder upon.

I don't recall having come across this transitive use (less surprising if it is a specifically US use) , but I am familiar with meaning 4.1.c: "to mull over : to turn over (an idea, etc.) in one's mind; reflect upon, think over, ponder."

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