deliberate
UK: dɪˈlɪbərət | US: dɪˈlɪbərət
adj. done consciously and intentionally
adj. slow and careful in action or decision
vt. to engage in long and careful consideration
The word "deliberate" traces back to Latin deliberatus, the past participle of deliberare ("to weigh, consider"), formed from de- (thoroughly) + liberare ("to free, balance," from liber "free"). The original sense was "to weigh in the mind," reflecting the idea of freeing oneself from uncertainty by careful thought. Over time, it evolved to mean both "intentional" (adj.) and "to ponder" (v.), retaining its core logic of purposeful action.
The jury took hours to deliberate the verdict.
She made a deliberate effort to avoid eye contact.
His movements were slow and deliberate.
The attack was clearly deliberate, not accidental.
We need to deliberate on this proposal before voting.