Etymology
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caution (n.)

c. 1300, caucioun, "bail, guarantee, pledge," from Old French caution "security, surety" (13c.), from Latin cautionem (nominative cautio) "caution, care, foresight, precaution," noun of action from past participle stem of cavere "to be on one's guard" (from PIE root *keu- "to see, observe, perceive").

The Latin sense re-emerged in English as "prudence in regard to danger" (1650s). Meaning "word of warning, monitory advice" is from c. 1600. Meaning "anything which excites alarm or astonishment" is U.S. slang, 1835.

caution (v.)

"to warn, exhort to take heed," 1640s, from caution (n.). Related: Cautioned; cautioning.

Entries linking to caution

*keu- 

also *skeu- Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to see, observe, perceive." 

It forms all or part of: Anschauung; caution; cautious; caveat; kudos; precaution; scavenger; scone; sheen; show.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit kavih "wise, sage; seer, poet;" Avestan kauui- "seer, poet, wise man;" Middle Iranian škoh "splendor, majesty;" Latin cautio "care, foresight," cautus "careful, heedful," cavere "beware, take heed;" Greek kydos "glory, fame;" Lithuanian kavoti "tend, safeguard;" Armenian cucanem "I show;" Old Church Slavonic čudo "wonder;" Czech (z)koumati "to perceive, be aware of;" Serbian čuvati "watch, heed;" Old English sceawian "to look at," Middle Dutch schoon "beautiful, bright," properly "showy," Old High German scouwon "to watch."

cautionary (adj.)
"conveying a warning," 1590s, from caution (n.) + -ary.

updated on October 25, 2017

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Definitions of caution from WordNet
1
caution (n.)
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger;
a man of caution
Synonyms: cautiousness / carefulness
caution (n.)
a warning against certain acts;
Synonyms: caveat
caution (n.)
judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger;
he exercised caution in opening the door
Synonyms: precaution / care / forethought
caution (n.)
the trait of being circumspect and prudent;
Synonyms: circumspection
2
caution (v.)
warn strongly; put on guard;
Synonyms: admonish / monish
Etymologies are not definitions. From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near caution

causeway

caustic

cauterization

cauterize

cautery

caution

cautionary

cautious

cavalcade

cavalier

cavalry

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper