deliberation definition | Dictionary.com

de⋅lib⋅er⋅a⋅tion

[di-lib-uh-rey-shuh

–noun

1.	careful consideration before decision.

2.	formal consultation or discussion.

3.	deliberate quality; leisureliness of movement or action; slowness.

Origin:
1325–75; ME deliberacion < L dēlīberātiōn- (s. of dēlīberātiō), equiv. to dēlīberāt(us) (see deliberate ) + -iōn- -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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de·lib·er·a·tion (dĭ-lĭb'ə-rā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.

The act or process of deliberating.
deliberations Discussion and consideration of all sides of an issue: the deliberations of a jury.
Thoughtfulness in decision or action.
Leisureliness in motion or manner: The girl stacked the blocks with deliberation.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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deliberation

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."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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deliberation
noun
1.	(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question; "the deliberations of the jury"
2.	careful consideration; "a little deliberation would have deterred them"
3.	planning something carefully and intentionally; "it was the deliberation of his act that was insulting" [syn: calculation]
4.	a rate demonstrating an absence of haste or hurry [syn: slowness]
5.	the trait of thoughtfulness in action or decision; "he was a man of judicial deliberation"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Main Entry: de·lib·er·a·tion
Pronunciation: di-"li-b&-'rA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 a : the act of deliberating —compare PREMEDITATION b : 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

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Deliberation

De*lib`er*a"tion\, n. [L. deliberatio: cf. F. d['e]lib['e]ration.]

1. The act of deliberating, or of weighing and examining the reasons for and against a choice or measure; careful consideration; mature reflection.

Choosing the fairest way with a calm deliberation. --W. Montagu.

2. Careful discussion and examination of the reasons for and against a measure; as, the deliberations of a legislative body or council.