[de.lib.er.ate] vb -at.ed ; -at.ing vi (14c): to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully ~ vt: to think about deliberately and often with formal discussion before reaching a decision syn see think
[2]de.lib.er.ate adj [L deliberatus, pp. of deliberare to consider carefully, perh. alter. of (assumed) delibrare, fr. de- + libra scale, pound] (15c) 1: characterized by or resulting from careful and thorough consideration "a ~ decision"
2: characterized by awareness of the consequences "~ falsehood"
3: slow, unhurried, and steady as though allowing time for decision on each individual action involved "a ~ pace" syn see voluntary -- de.lib.er.ate.ly adv -- de.lib.er.ate.ness n