Cautiousness
/ˈkɔː.ʃəs.nəs/noun
The quality of being careful to avoid danger or mistakes.
Did you know?Its ancestor goes back to Latin *cavēre*, meaning “to be on one’s guard” or “to beware,” the same root behind legal and warning language about danger and protection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*keuə-
“to observe, perceive, or be wary”
Latin
Latin
cavēre
“to be on one’s guard; to beware; to take care”
Late Latin
Latin
cautiō
“carefulness; foresight; security”
Old French
Old French
caution
“care, prudence; security, guarantee”
Middle English
English
cautious
“careful; prudent; wary”
Modern English
English
cautiousness
“the state or quality of being cautious”
Explore more surprising origins