Precaution

Pronunciation

Origin

From French précaution, Latin praecautio, from praecavere, praecautum ("to guard against beforehand"); prae ("before") + cavere ("be on one's guard"). See pre-, and caution.

Full definition of precaution

Noun

1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
• John Henry NewmanThe ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution.
2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.to take precautions against risks of accident

Derived terms

• precautionary

Verb

1. (transitive): To warn or caution beforehand. --Locke.
2. (transitive, rare): To take precaution against. --John Dryden.