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caution
8 dictionary results for: caution
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
cau·tion       [kaw-shuhn] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation; care; wariness: Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.
2.a warning against danger or evil; anything serving as a warning: By way of caution, he told me the difficulties I would face.
3.Informal. a person or thing that astonishes or causes mild apprehension: She's a caution. The way he challenges your remarks is a caution.
–verb (used with object)
4.to give warning to; advise or urge to take heed.
–verb (used without object)
5.to warn or advise: The newspapers caution against overoptimism.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME caucion < L cautiōn- (s. of cautiō) a taking care, equiv. to caut(us), ptp. of cavére to guard against (cau- take care, guard + -tus ptp. suffix) + -iōn- -ion]

—Related forms
cau·tion·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. circumspection, discretion, watchfulness, heed, vigilance. 2. admonition, advice, counsel. 4. admonish, forewarn. See warn.
—Antonyms 1. carelessness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cau·tion       (kô'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. Careful forethought to avoid danger or harm.
    2. Close attention or vigilance to minimize risk: The car proceeded over the rickety bridge with caution.
  2. Prudence or restraint in action or decision: advised caution in choosing a school.
  3. A warning or admonishment, especially to take heed: I received a caution from the doctor about fat in my diet.
  4. A cautious action; a precaution: The climbers took the necessary cautions in preparing for the ascent.
  5. Informal One that is striking or alarming.

tr.v.   cau·tioned, cau·tion·ing, cau·tions
To advise to take heed; warn or admonish.


[Middle English caucioun, from Old French caution, from Latin cautiō, cautiōn-, from cautus, past participle of cavēre, to take care.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
caution  (n.)
1297, "bail, guarantee, pledge," from O.Fr., "security, surety," from L. cautionem (nom. cautio), from cautus pp. of cavere "to be on one's guard" (see caveat). The Latin sense re-emerged in Eng. 16c.-17c. The verb sense of "to warn" is from 1641; cautious is from 1640.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
caution

noun
1. the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger; "a man of caution" [ant: incaution] 
2. a warning against certain acts; "a caveat against unfair practices" 
3. judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger; "he exercised caution in opening the door"; "he handled the vase with care" 
4. the trait of being circumspect and prudent [syn: circumspection] 

verb
1. warn strongly; put on guard 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

caution

see throw caution to the winds.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Caution

Cau"tion\, n. [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. --Shak.

Caution money, money deposited by way of security or guaranty, as by a student at an English university.

Syn: Care; forethought; forecast; heed; prudence; watchfulness; vigilance; circumspection; anxiety; providence; counsel; advice; warning; admonition.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Caution

Cau"tion\ v. 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's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Caution

Cau"tion\, n. (Civil & Scots Law) A pledge, bond, or other security for the performance of an obligation either in or out of judicial proceedings; the promise or contract of one not for himself but another; security.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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