adjective , verb
■ adjective / dɪˈlɪbərət; NAmE /
1.
done on purpose rather than by accident
SYN intentional , planned :
a deliberate act of vandalism
The speech was a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government.
OPP unintentional
2.
( of a movement or an action ) done slowly and carefully :
She spoke in a slow and deliberate way.
■ verb
/ dɪˈlɪbəreɪt/ to think very carefully about sth, usually before making a decision :
[ v ]
The jury deliberated for five days before finding him guilty.
They deliberated on whether to continue with the talks.
[also v wh- ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as an adjective): from Latin deliberatus , considered carefully, past participle of deliberare , from de- down + librare weigh (from libra scales).