caveat (n.)

"warning, hint of caution," 1550s, Latin, literally "let him beware," 3rd person singular present subjunctive of cavere "to beware, take heed, watch, guard against," from PIE root *keu- "to see, observe, perceive." Legal sense "public warning preventing some action" is from 1650s.

Entries linking to caveat

*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."

caveat emptor

1520s, Latin, literally "let the buyer beware;" see caveat and second element of exempt (adj.).

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updated on October 25, 2017

Definitions of caveat from WordNet

caveat (n.)

a warning against certain acts;

a caveat against unfair practices

Synonyms: caution

caveat (n.)

(law) a formal notice filed with a court or officer to suspend a proceeding until filer is given a hearing;

a caveat filed against the probate of a will

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near caveat

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caveat emptor

cave-bear

cave-dweller

caveman

cavendish