Pre*cau"tion (?), n. [F. pr'ecation, 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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Pre*cau"tion, v. t. [Cf. F. pr'ecautionner.]

1.

To warn or caution beforehand.

Locke.

2.

To take precaution against.

[R.]

Dryden.

 

© Webster 1913.

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