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chary

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char⋅y

  [chair-ee]
Use chary in a Sentence
–adjective, char⋅i⋅er, char⋅i⋅est.
1. cautious or careful; wary: He was chary of investing in oil wells.
2. shy; timid.
3. fastidious; choosy: She is excessively chary about her friends.
4. sparing (often fol. by of): chary of his praise.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE cearig sorrowful (c(e)ar(u) care + -ig -y 1 ); c. OS karag, OHG karag (G karg scanty, paltry)

Related forms:
char⋅i⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. circumspect. 4. frugal.

Antonyms:
1. trustful. 2. confident. 3. uncritical. 4. lavish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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char·y   (châr'ē)   
adj.   char·i·er, char·i·est

  1. Very cautious; wary: was chary of the risks involved.

  2. Not giving or expending freely; sparing: was chary of compliments.


[Middle English chari, careful, sorrowful, from Old English cearig, sorrowful, from cearu, sorrow; see care.]
char'i·ly adv., char'i·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

chary 
O.E. cearig "sorrowful" (see care). Sense evolved 16c. from "full of care" to "careful."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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