precaution

Meanings

Noun

• Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent misfortune or to secure good
• A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.

Verb

• To warn or caution beforehand.
• To take precaution against.

Origin

• From French précaution, Latin praecautio, from praecavere, praecautum; prae + cavere. See pre-, and caution.