precarious
/pɹɪˈkɛəɹi.əs/ adjective
- adjective (comparable) Dangerously insecure or unstable; perilous.
- adjective (law) Depending on the intention of another.
- adjective (dentistry) Relating to incipient caries.
Synonyms
unsteady rickety shaky tottering unsafe unstable wobbly touch-and-go parlous perilous
Etymology
From Latin precārius (“begged for, obtained by entreaty”), from prex, precis (“prayer”). Compare French précaire, Portuguese precário, and Spanish and Italian precario.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges. Addison.
- adjective Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes. "Intervals of partial and precarious liberty." Macaulay.
Etymology [L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “precarious”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details