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Webster 1913 Edition

Caution

Cau′tion

,
Noun.
[F.
caution
a security, L.
cautio
, fr.
cavere
(For
scavere
) to be on one’s guard, to take care (orig.) to be on the watch, see; akin to E.
show
.]
1.
A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
2.
Security; guaranty; bail.
[R.]
The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient
caution
that the war should be prosecuted.
Clarendon.
3.
Precept or warning against evil of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
In way of
caution
I must tell you.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Care; forethought; forecast; heed; prudence; watchfulness; vigilance; circumspection; anxiety; providence; counsel; advice; warning; admonition.

Cau′tion

Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Cautioned
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Cautioning
.]
To give notice of danger to; to warn; to exhort [one] to take heed.
You
cautioned
me against their charms.
Swift.

Webster 1828 Edition

Caution

CAUTION

,
Noun.
1.
Provident care; prudence in regard to danger; wariness, consisting in a careful attention to the probable effects of a measure, and a judicious course of conduct to avoid evils and the arts of designing men.
Caution is the armor to defend us against imposition and the attacks of evil.
2.
Security for, nearly the sense of the French caution, bail.
The parliament would give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
3.
Provision or security against; measures taken for security; as the rules and cautions of government.
4.
Precept; advice; injunction; warning; exhortation, intended as security or guard against evil.

CAUTION

,
Verb.
T.
To give notice of danger; to warn; to exhort to take heed.
You cautioned me against their charms.

Definition 2024

caution

caution

English

Noun

caution ‎(plural cautions)

  1. Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
    • Shakespeare
      In way of caution I must tell you.
  2. A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
  3. Security; guaranty; bail.
    • Clarendon
      The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
  4. One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
    Oh, that boy, he's a caution! He does make me laugh.
  5. A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:caution

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Verb

caution ‎(third-person singular simple present cautions, present participle cautioning, simple past and past participle cautioned)

  1. (transitive) To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

Translations

Anagrams

French

Etymology

From Latin cautiō, from cautus, past participle of caveō, cavēre ‎(“be on one's guard”).

Noun

caution f ‎(plural cautions)

  1. caution, guaranty, bail
  2. deposit

Derived terms

Anagrams

Norman

Etymology

From Latin cautiō, cautiōnem.

Noun

caution f ‎(plural cautions)

  1. (Jersey) deposit
  2. (Jersey, law) bail

Etymology

Recorded since 1297, "bail, guarantee, pledge", from Old French caution ‎(“security, surety”), itself from Latin cautiō, from cautus, past participle of caveō, cavēre ‎(“be on one's guard”).

Pronunciation

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