premeditate

views updated May 21 2018

pre·med·i·tate / priˈmedəˌtāt; prē-/ • v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (premeditated) think out or plan (an action, esp. a crime) beforehand: premeditated murder.DERIVATIVES: pre·med·i·ta·tion / -ˌmedəˈtāshən/ n.

premeditate

views updated Jun 11 2018

premeditate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. præmeditārī; see PRE-, MEDITATE.
So premeditation XV. — (O)F. or L.

Premeditate

views updated Jun 27 2018

PREMEDITATE

To think of an act beforehand; to contrive and design; to plot or lay plans for the execution of a purpose.

Premeditation refers to the decision to plan to commit a crime, generally murder. A premeditated murder is thought out beforehand, but no specific length of time is needed for premeditation.