Category:Precaution

Pre*cau"tion, n. Etym: [f. précation, l. praecautio, fr. praecavere, Praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on One's guard. See pre-, and caution.]

1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent Mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution. They [ancient philosophers] treasured up their supposed discoveries With miserable precaution. J. H. Newman.

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or Success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against Accident.

Precaution Pre*cau"tion, v. t. Etym: [cf. F. précautionner.]

1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.

2. To take precaution against. [r.] Dryden.