deliberation
UK[dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn]US[dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn]
n
long and careful thought or discussion.
n
the quality of being slow and careful in what you say or do.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
liber
ation
de
completely
liber
to weigh
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'deliberation' originates from the latin verb 'deliberare', meaning 'to weigh well' or 'to consider carefully'. this verb itself is a compound of the intensive prefix 'de-' and the root 'librare', which means 'to balance' or 'to weigh', derived from 'libra', the latin word for a balance scale. the core concept is a metaphorical weighing of options in one's mind, evaluating them as if on a scale. over time, this literal sense of balancing evolved into the modern abstract meanings of careful thought, discussion, and measured action.
Analysis
Structure: de (completely) + liber (to weigh) + ation (noun suffix)
de- (latin prefix, meaning 'completely', 'down from'); liber (latin root, from 'librare', meaning 'to weigh', 'to balance'); -ation (latin-derived noun-forming suffix, indicating an action or process).
Examples
after much deliberation, the committee approved the new policy.
she spoke with great deliberation, choosing each word carefully.
the jury's deliberation lasted for two full days.