c.1374, from L. deliberationem, from deliberare "weigh, consider well," from de- "entirely" + -liberare, alt. (perhaps by influence of liberare "liberate") from librare "to balance, weigh," from libra "scale."
Main Entry: de·lib·er·a·tion Pronunciation: di-"li-b&-'rA-sh&n Function: noun 1 a: the act of deliberating —compare PREMEDITATIONb: a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for or against a measure 2: the quality or state of being deliberate deliberation> —de·lib·er·a·tive/dE-'li-b&-"rA-tiv, -br&-tiv/adjective