Deliber

Deliber is an English verb meaning to consider something carefully or to discuss it with others in pursuit of a decision. It can refer to private reflection or to a formal discussion among a group. In contemporary English, the more common form is deliberate, which carries the same core sense and also serves as an adjective meaning intentional. Deliber, by contrast, is largely viewed as archaic or dialectal and is rarely used in modern prose.

Etymology and forms: Deliber derives from Latin deliberare “to weigh in the mind,” through Old French deliberer. The modern standard verb form is deliberate; the noun is deliberation, and the related adjective is deliberative.

Usage and context: Deliber is typically encountered in historical texts, older dictionaries, or discussions of language where the root form is cited. In most current writing, speakers and writers use deliberate to express both the act of considering and the act of weighing options. In legal and political contexts, the process of careful consideration is more commonly described as deliberation, while the adjective form deliberative describes bodies or processes designed to discuss before deciding.

Related terms: deliberate (verb, to weigh or discuss; adjective meaning intentional), deliberation (the act or process of considering or discussing), deliberative (adjective describing processes, assemblies, or approaches that involve discussion before action).

See also: Deliberation, Deliberative democracy, Deliberative body.