English

Alternative forms

• considre (archaic)

Verb

consider ‎(third-person singular simple present considers, present participle considering, simple past and past participle considered)

1. (transitive) To think about seriously.

   Consider that we’ve had three major events and the year has hardly begun.‎

   • John Milton (1608-1674)

     Thenceforth to speculations high or deep / I turned my thoughts, and with capacious mind / Considered all things visible.

   • 2014 March 15, “Turn it off”, in The Economist, volume 410, number 8878:

     If the takeover is approved, Comcast would control 20 of the top 25 cable markets, […]. Antitrust officials will need to consider Comcast’s status as a monopsony (a buyer with disproportionate power), when it comes to negotiations with programmers, whose channels it pays to carry.

2. (transitive) To think of doing.

   I’m considering going to the beach tomorrow.‎

3. (transitive) To assign some quality to.

   Consider yourself lucky, but consider your opponent skillful.‎

   I considered the pie undercooked.‎

   • Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859)

     Considered as plays, his works are absurd.

   • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice:

     "What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:

     Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, […] .

   • 1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess:

     ‘I understand that the district was considered a sort of sanctuary,’ the Chief was saying. ‘An Alsatia like the ancient one behind the Strand, or the Saffron Hill before the First World War. […]’

4. (transitive) To look at attentively.

   She sat there for a moment, considering him.‎

   • Bible, Proverbs xxxi. 16

     She considereth a field, and buyeth it.

5. (transitive) To take up as an example.

   Consider a triangle having three equal sides.‎

   • 2013 June 14, Sam Leith, “Where the profound meets the profane”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 1, page 37:

     Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.

6. (transitive, parliamentary procedure) To debate or dispose of a motion.

   This body will now consider the proposed amendments to Section 453 of the zoning code.‎

7. To have regard to; to take into view or account; to pay due attention to; to respect.
   • William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

     Consider, sir, the chance of war: the day / Was yours by accident.

   • William Temple (1628–1699)

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

Usage notes

• In sense 2, this is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See Appendix:English catenative verbs.

Synonyms

• (think about seriously): bethink, reflect on
• (think of doing): think of, bethink
• (assign a quality): deem, regard, think of; see also Wikisaurus:deem
• (look at closely): regard, observe
• (debate a motion): deliberate, bethink
• (include in an estimate or plan): take into account

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