Precaution
/priːˈkɔː.ʃən/noun
Care taken in advance to avoid danger, mistakes, or harm.
Did you know?Precaution comes from Latin *praecautio*, from *prae* (“before”) + *cautio* (“care, caution”), and the same *cav-* root also gave English words tied to being wary and guarded.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
praecautio
“forethought; precaution”
Late Latin
Latin
praecautio
“a prior act of guarding against danger”
Old French
French
precaution
“care taken beforehand”
14th–15th Century
English
precaution
“prior care or preventive measure”
Modern English
English
precaution
“an action taken in advance to prevent harm”
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