Lexical Definition

‎μελετάω‎ meletáō (mel-et-ah'-o) to meditate/plot ^G:V
from a presumed derivative of ‎μέλω‎

imagine, (pre-)meditate.

• to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind

Abbott-Smith

μελετάω, -ῶ (< μελέτη, care), [in LXX chiefly for הגה;]
1. c. gen., to care for (Hes.).
2. C. acc. to attend to, practise: I Ti 4:15 (RV, be diligent in; cf. Souter in Exp., VIII, vi, 429, but v. infr.).
3. to study, ponder: Ac 4:25(LXX), I Ti 4:15 (AV, meditate on; cf. CGT, in l., but v. supr.; cf. προ-μελετάω).†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

μελετάω-άω,

future -ήσω [Refs 8th c.BC+] Verb, take thought or care for, with genitive, βίου, ἔργου, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; of a physician, treat a case, [Refs 5th c.BC+] —passive [Refs]

__2 attend to, study, οὐ δύναμαι ἀκοῦσαι, τοῦτο μελετάωῶν (i.e. τὸ ἀκοῦσαι) [μελετάωηκώς 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Phaedrus” 260c. ">Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II pursue, exercise, [μαντείην] [Refs]; μ. τοῦτο (i.e. ἡμεροδρόμην εἶναι) [Refs 5th c.BC+]: frequently in Attic dialect, μ. σοφίαν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; τέχνας, ῥητορικήν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; practise, ἤθη, γαστριμαργίας, ὕβρεις, [Refs]; [νόμους] [μελετάωᾶν 5th c.BC: Sophocles Tragicus “Oedipus Coloneus” 171 (\_anapaest meter\_); τὴν τῶν πολεμικῶν ἄσκησιν 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1333b39: generally, μ. ἄδικα LXX.Job.27.4; ταῦτα μελέτα NT.1Tim.4.15 ">NT+5th c.BC+]; especially practise speaking, con over a speech in one's mind, λογάρια δύστηνα μελετάωήσας [Refs 4th c.BC+]; also, deliver, declaim[Refs 2nd c.AD+] —passive, τὸ ναυτικὸν οὐκ ἐνδέχεται ἐκ παρέργου μελετάωᾶσθαι naval warfare cannot be practised 'en amateur', [Refs 5th c.BC+]; εὐταξία μετὰ κινδύνων μελετάωωμένη discipline put in practice on the battle-field, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.2 with infinitive, μετρίως ἀλγεῖν μελετάωᾷ σοφία practises moderation in grief, [μελετάωήκασί που 5th-6th c.BC: Aristophanes Comicus “Ecclesiazusae” 119; also μ. τοξεύειν καὶ ἀκοντίζειν 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Institutio Cyri (Cyropaedia)” 1.2.12, compare 5th c.BC: Antipho Orator 3.2.3; μ. ποιεῖν καὶ λέγειν 5th c.BC: Lysias Orator 10.9 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; μ. ἀποθνῄσκειν, τεθνάναι, practise dying, death, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.3 less frequently with participle, μ. κυβερνῶντες [Refs 5th c.BC+]; with ὡς and participle, [Refs]
__II.4 with preposition, μ. ἔν τινι [LXX]
__II.5 absolutely, study, train oneself, [μελετάωηκός [prev. work] 6.4.10 ">Refs 5th c.BC+]: with dative modi, τόξῳ μ. καὶ ἀκοντίῳ [Refs]; ἐν τῷ μὴ μελετάωῶντι by want of practice, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__II.5.b especially practise oratory, declaim, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπὶ τῶν καιρῶν μ. extemporize a speech, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; of actors, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.6 in Medicine texts, of disease, threaten, μ. τὴν τοῦ καρκινώματος γένεσιν [μελετάωήσῃ.. ἡ νοῦσος 2nd c.AD: Aretaeus Medicus “περὶ αἰτιῶν καὶ σημείων χρονίων παθῶν” 2.12 ">Refs 1st c.AD+]:—passive, ἀπειλᾷ καὶ μελετάωᾶται μανία [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__II.7 with accusative person, exercise, train persons, ἐμελέτησεν [αὐτοὺς] ὡς εἶεν.. [Refs 5th c.BC+]: with infinitive, οὓς ἀναβαίνειν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἵππους μελετάωᾷ Φείδων [Refs 4th c.BC+] —passive, μελετάωώμενοι ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν τὴν πτῆσιν, of eaglets, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__III Grammars, to be accustomed, with infinitive, μεμελέτηκε τὸ τ ¯ εἰς θ ¯ τρέπεσθαι [μελετάωήσανταπάσχεινσυναίρεσιν 9th c.AD: Theognostus Grammaticus “Can.” 145.25. ">Refs 9th c.AD+]
__III.b in Medicine texts, acquire a habit, μελετάωησάντων ἐκπίπτειν βραχιόνων [Refs 2nd c.AD+]:— passive, become chronic, μελετάωηθὲν τὸ πάθος [Refs 6th c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Job.27.4 ☩ 1Tim.4.15 ☩ LXX.Josh.1.8}