Premeditate: meaning, definitions and examples
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premeditate
[ ˌpriːˈmɛdɪteɪt ]
legal context
To premeditate means to think about and plan an action beforehand, especially in relation to a crime. It is often used in legal contexts to indicate that a crime was planned rather than spontaneous. This implies a level of intent and consideration before committing an act. Premeditation can significantly affect the severity of criminal charges, as it suggests that the perpetrator had a conscious plan as opposed to acting on impulse.
Synonyms
contemplate, deliberate, plan, scheme.
Examples of usage
- The defendant was charged with first-degree murder due to the premeditated nature of the crime.
- They were found to have premeditated the robbery for weeks before carrying it out.
- Premeditated acts of violence are treated more seriously in the judicial system.
Translations
Translations of the word "premeditate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 premeditar
🇮🇳 पूर्व-निर्धारित करना
🇩🇪 vorausplanen
🇮🇩 merencanakan sebelumnya
🇺🇦 попередньо обдумувати
🇵🇱 premedytować
🇯🇵 前もって考える
🇫🇷 prévoir
🇪🇸 premeditar
🇹🇷 önceden düşünmek
🇰🇷 미리 계획하다
🇸🇦 تأمل مسبقًا
🇨🇿 předem plánovat
🇸🇰 premeditovať
🇨🇳 预先考虑
🇸🇮 premediti
🇮🇸 fyrirfram
🇰🇿 алдын ала ойлау
🇬🇪 წინასწარ განსაზღვრა
🇦🇿 öncədən düşünmək
🇲🇽 premeditar
Etymology
The word 'premeditate' originates from the Latin 'prae-' meaning 'before' and 'meditatus', the past participle of 'meditari' which means 'to think, to ponder'. The term began to be used in English around the early 17th century, coming into prominence in legal terminology to distinguish between crimes committed with prior planning versus those that were impulsive. This differentiation has been crucial in the judicial system, influencing laws regarding intent and culpability. Over time, the use of the word expanded beyond legal contexts, becoming relevant in discussions about personal actions that involve prior thought or consideration, thus embedding itself in common English usage.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #40,299, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.