Circumspect - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

cir·cum·spect

Audio Help [sur-kuh

m-spekt] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent: circumspect behavior.

2.	well-considered: circumspect ambition.

[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < L circumspectus (ptp. of circumspicere to look around), equiv. to circum- circum- + spec(ere) to look + -tus ptp. suffix

]

—Related forms

cir·cum·spect·ly, adverb

cir·cum·spect·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. careful, vigilant, guarded.

—Antonyms 1. careless, indiscreet.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Circumspect

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

cir·cum·spect Audio Help (sûr'kəm-spěkt') Pronunciation Key
adj. Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences; prudent.

[Middle English, from Latin circumspectus, past participle of circumspicere, to take heed : circum-, circum- + specere, to look; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

cir'cum·spect'ly adv.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
circumspect

1422 (circumspection is attested from 1387), from L. circumspectus, pp. of circumspicere "look around, take heed," from circum- "around" + specere "to look" (see scope (1)).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

circumspect
adjective
heedful of potential consequences; "circumspect actions"; "physicians are now more circumspect about recommending its use"; "a discreet investor"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Circumspect

Cau"tious\, a. [Cf. L. cautus, fr. caver. See Caution.] Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general.

Cautious feeling for another's pain. --Byron.

Be swift to hear; but cautious of your tongue. --Watts.

Syn: Wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent; circumspect; discreet; heedful; thoughtful; scrupulous; anxious; careful.

Usage: Cautious, Wary, Circumspect. A man is cautious who realizes the constant possibility of danger; one may be wary, and yet bold and active; a man who is circumspect habitually examines things on every side in order to weigh and deliberate. It is necessary to be cautious at all times; to be wary in cases of extraordinary danger; to be circumspect in matters of peculiar delicacy and difficulty.

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circumspect

circumspect was Word of the Day on November 8, 2000.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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