Definition of: deliberate

(di·lib′ə·rāt) v. ·t·ed, ·at·ing v.i.
1. To think or consider carefully and at length.
2. To consider reasons or arguments for and against something so as to reach a conclusion or decision.
3. To pause to think.
—v.t.
4. To think about or consider carefully; weigh.
—adjective (di·lib′ər·it)
1. Acting with deliberation; carefully thought out; not hasty.
2. Done after deliberation; intentional. [<L deliberatus, pp. of deliberare <de- completely + librare weigh <libra a scale]
—de·lib′er·ate·ly adverb
—de·lib′er·ate·ness noun Synonyms (verb): confer, consider, consult, debate, meditate, ponder, reflect, weigh. An individual considers, meditates, ponders, reflects by himself. Consult and confer always imply two or more persons, as does debate, except in rare reflexive use. Deliberate, which can be applied to a single individual, is also the word for a great number, while consult is ordinarily limited to a few; a committee consults; an assembly deliberates. Deliberating always carries the idea of slowness; a consultation may be hasty. We consider or deliberate with a view to action; meditation may be purposeless. See CONSIDER, CONSULT, MUSE.