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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.
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Definitions of caution from WordNet
Dictionary entries near caution
causeway
caustic
cauterization
cauterize
cautery
caution
cautionary
cautious
cavalcade
cavalier
cavalry