Deliberate Definition

dĭ-lĭbər-ĭt
deliberated, deliberates, deliberating
adjective
Done with or marked by full consciousness of the nature and effects; intentional.
Mistook the oversight for a deliberate insult.
American Heritage
Carefully thought out and formed, or done on purpose; premeditated.
Webster's New World
Arising from or marked by careful consideration.
A deliberate decision.
American Heritage
Careful in considering, judging, or deciding; not rash or hasty.
Webster's New World
Unhurried and methodical.
Take deliberate aim.
Webster's New World
verb
deliberated, deliberates, deliberating
To think or consider carefully and fully; esp., to consider reasons for and against a thing in order to make up one's mind.
A jury deliberates.
Webster's New World
To think carefully and often slowly, as about a choice to be made.
American Heritage
To consult with another or others in a process of reaching a decision.
American Heritage
To consider (a matter) carefully and often slowly, as by weighing alternatives.
American Heritage
Intentional and premeditated, of an act performed with prior planning; with full consideration and thoroughly, as in “with all deliberate speed.”
Webster's New World Law

Origin of Deliberate

  • From Latin deliberatus, past participle of delibero (“I consider, weigh well”), from de + *libero, libro (“I weigh”), from *libera, libra (“a balance”); see librate.

    From Wiktionary

  • Latin dēlīberātus past participle of dēlīberāre to consider, weigh dē- de- lībrāre to balance (from lībra a balance, scales)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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