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premeditation

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noun pre·med·i·ta·tion \(ˌ)prē-ˌme-də-�?t�?-shən\

Definition of premeditation

  1. :  an act or instance of premeditating; specifically :  consideration or planning of an act beforehand that shows intent to commit that act

Recent Examples of premeditation from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'premeditation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of premeditation

15th century


Law Dictionary

premeditation

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noun pre·med·i·ta·tion \pri-ˌme-də-�?t�?-shən\

Legal Definition of premeditation

  1. :  an act or instance of premeditating; specifically :  consideration or planning of an act beforehand designed so that it requires premeditation to tamper with it murder in the first degree is the killing of a human being committed…intentionally and with premeditationKansas Statutes Annotated — see also cold blood, murder — compare intent

Additional Notes on premeditation

The terms premeditation malice aforethought deliberate, and willful are often used in statutes either along with or instead of intent to describe the necessary mental state for a crime. In some jurisdictions the premeditation has to occur only moments before the act, while in others it must precede the act by an appreciable amount of time.



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