caution
/ˈkɔːʃ(ə)n/ noun, verb
Forms cautions cautioning cautioned
- noun Prudence when faced with, or when expecting to face, danger; care taken in order to avoid risk or harm. “take caution”
- noun 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.”
- noun Security; guaranty; bail.
- noun (dated) One who draws attention or causes astonishment by their behaviour. “Oh, that boy, he's a caution! He does make me laugh.”
- noun (law) A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.
- noun (soccer) A yellow card.
- verb (transitive) To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.
- verb (transitive, UK, law) To read someone their formal legal rights as part of a lawful arrest.
- verb (soccer) To give a yellow card.
Synonyms
cautiousness caginess care carefulness circumspection heed heedfulness prudence reckfulness wariness caveat precaution forethought admonish monish
Antonyms
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”).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
- noun Security; guaranty; bail. [R.]
- To give notice of danger to; to warn; to exhort [one] to take heed.
Etymology [F. caution a security, L. cautio, fr. cavere (For scavere) to be on one's guard, to take care (orig.) to be on the watch, see; akin to E. show.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “caution”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details