caution
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English
Etymology
Recorded since 1297 as Middle English caucioun (“bail, guarantee, pledge”), from Old French caution (“security, surety”), itself from Latin cautiō, from cautus, past participle of caveō, cavēre (“be on one's guard”).
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) enPR: kôshn, IPA(key): /ˈkɔːʃ(ə)n/
- (US) enPR: kôshn, IPA(key): /ˈkɔʃ(ə)n/
- (cot–caught merger, Inland Northern American) enPR: käshn, IPA(key): /ˈkɑʃ(ə)n/
Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -ɔːʃən
Noun
caution (countable and uncountable, plural cautions)
- Prudence when faced with, or when expecting to face, danger; care taken in order to avoid risk or harm.
- take caution
- have caution
- exercise great caution
- utmost caution is required when travelling in this dangerous neighbourhood
- act with caution
- c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
- In way of caution I must tell you.
- 1960 December, “Talking of Trains: The railways and the Devon floods”, in Trains Illustrated, page 709:
- [...] and on the Saturday heavy seas pounded the W.R. on its exposed coastal stretch between Dawlish and Teignmouth, loosening the ballast and forcing trains to proceed with extreme caution.
- A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided.
- The guideline expressed caution against excessive radiographic imaging.
- Security; guaranty; bail.
- 1702–1704, Edward [Hyde, 1st] Earl of Clarendon, “(please specify |book=I to XVI)”, in The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, Begun in the Year 1641. , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed at the Theater, published 1707, →OCLC:
- The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be vigorously prosecuted.
- (dated) One who draws attention or causes astonishment by their behaviour.
- Oh, that boy, he's a caution! He does make me laugh.
- (law) A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.
- (soccer) A yellow card.
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:caution
Hyponyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
precept or warning against evil or danger
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careful attention, prudence
security; guaranty; bail
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
Verb
caution (third-person singular simple present cautions, present participle cautioning, simple past and past participle cautioned)
- (transitive) To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.
- (soccer) To give a yellow card
Translations
to warn
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Anagrams
French
Etymology
Inherited from Old French caution, borrowed from Latin cautiōnem, from cautus, past participle of caveō, cavēre (“be on one's guard”).
Pronunciation
Noun
caution f (plural cautions)
Derived terms
Further reading
- “caution”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.
Anagrams
Norman
Etymology
From Old French caution, borrowed from Latin cautiō, cautiōnem.
Noun
caution f (plural cautions)