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   caution

   /ˈkɔːʃ(ə)n/

   noun

   • 1. care taken to avoid danger or mistakes: "anyone receiving a suspect package should exercise extreme caution" Similar carecarefulnesswarinessawarenessheedfulnessheedattentionattentivenessalertnesswatchfulnessvigilancehypervigilancecircumspectiondiscretionprudenceguardednesscharinessforethoughtmindfulnessinformal:caginessOpposite incautionrecklessness
   • ▪ an official or legal warning given to someone who has committed a minor offence but has not been charged, to the effect that further action will be taken if they commit another such offence: British "they let him off with a caution" Similar warningadmonitionadmonishmentinjunctionmonitionreprimandrebukereproofscoldingexhortationguidancecaveatcounselinformal:telling-offdressing-downtalking-toticking offcarpeting
   • ▪ warning: "business advisers have sounded a note of caution"
   • 2. an amusing or surprising person: informal, dated "‘You're a caution, you are,’ she said"

   verb

   • 1. say something as a warning: "the Chancellor cautioned that economic uncertainties remained" Similar advisewarnrecommendcounselurgeadmonishexhort
   • ▪ warn or advise against (doing something): "advisers have cautioned against tax increases" Similar advisewarnrecommendcounselurgeadmonishexhort
   • ▪ issue an official or legal warning to: "he was cautioned for possessing drugs" Similar warnadmonishgive an injunction toreprimandrebukereprovescoldinformal:tell offgive someone a telling-offgive someone a dressing-downgive someone a talking-togive someone a ticking-offcarpet
   • ▪ (of a police officer) advise (someone) of their legal rights when arresting them: "having cautioned her, the police were ready to take her away for questioning" Similar warnadmonishgive an injunction toreprimandrebukereprovescoldinformal:tell offgive someone a telling-offgive someone a dressing-downgive someone a talking-togive someone a ticking-offcarpet

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting bail or a guarantee; now chiefly Scots and US): from Latin cautio(n-), from cavere ‘take heed’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • U

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

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