Dictionary entry

Consider

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Con‐sid″er (kŏn‐sĭd″ẽr), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Considered (–ẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n.Considering.] [F. considérer, L. considerare, -sideratum, to consider, view attentively, prob. fr. con- + sidus, sideris, star, constellation; orig., therefore, to look at the stars. See Sidereal, and cf. Desire.] 1. To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on.

I will consider thy testimonies.

Ps. cxix. 95.

Thenceforth to speculations high or deep

I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind

Considered all things visible.

Milton.

2. To look at attentively; to observe; to examine.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it.

Prov. xxxi. 16.

3. To have regard to; to take into view or account; to pay due attention to; to respect.

Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day

Was yours by accident.

Shak.

England could grow into a posture of being more united at home, and more considered abroad.

Sir W. Temple.

4. To estimate; to think; to regard; to view.

Considered as plays, his works are absurd.

Macaulay.

☞ The proper sense of consider is often blended with an idea of the result of considering; as, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor.” Ps. xli. 1.; i.e., considers with sympathy and pity. “Which if I have not enough considered.” Shak.; i.e., requited as the sufficient considering of them would suggest. “Consider him liberally.” J. Hooker.

Syn. — To ponder; weigh; revolve; study; reflect or meditate on; contemplate; examine. See Ponder.