Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922.
Class VI. Words Relating to the Sentient and Moral PowersSection II. Personal Affections
3. Prospective Affections
864. Caution.
NOUN:CAUTION; cautiousness &c. adj.; discretion, prudence, cautel [obs.], heed, circumspection, calculation, deliberation.foresight [See Foresight]; vigilance [See Care]; warning [See Warning].
worldly wisdom; “safety first,” Fabian policy, “watchful waiting.”
COOLNESS &c. adj.; self-possession, self-command; presence of mind, sang-froid [F.], well-regulated mind.
VERB:BE CAUTIOUS &c. adj.; take -care, – heed, – good care; have a care; mind, mind what one is about; be on one’s guard &c. (keep watch) [See Care]; “make assurance double sure” [Macbeth].
think twice, look before one leaps, keep one’s eye peeled [slang], keep one’s weather eye open [colloq.]; count the cost, look to the main chance; cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth; feel one’s -ground, – way; see how the land lies (foresight) [See Foresight]; pussy-foot [Roosevelt]; wait to see how the cat jumps; bridle one’s tongue; reculer pour mieux sauter [F.] (prepare) [See Preparation]; let well enough alone, ne pas reveiller le chat qui dort [F.]; let sleeping dogs lie.
keep out of -harm’s way, – troubled waters; keep at a respectful distance, stand aloof; keep -, be- on the safe side.
ANTICIPATE; bespeak &c. (be early) [See Earliness].
LAY BY; husband one’s resources [See Store].
WARN, caution [See Warning].
ADJECTIVE:CAUTIOUS, wary, guarded, guardful [rare]; on one’s guard (watchful) [See Care]; gingerly, precautious [rare], sus- picious, leery [slang]; cavendo tutus [L.]; in medio tutissimus [L.]; vigilant; careful, heedful, cautelous [obs.], stealthy, chary, shy of, circumspect, prudent, canny [Scot.], safe, noncommittal, discreet, politic; sure-footed (skillful) [See Skill].
UNENTERPRISING, unadventurous, cool, steady, self-possessed; overcautious.
ADVERB:cautiously &c. adj.
INTERJECTION:have a care! look out! danger! mind your eye! [colloq.]; stop! look! listen! cave canem! [L.]. QUOTATIONS:
- Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.—Vergil
- Festina lente.
- Ante victoriam ne canas triumphum.
- Give every man thine ear but few thy voice.—Hamlet
- Il rit bien qui rit le dernier.
- Ni firmes carta que no leas ni bebas agua que no veas.
- Nescit vox missa reverti.—Horace
- Love all, trust a few.—All’s Well
- Noli irritare leones.
- Safe bind safe find.
- The cautious seldom err.—Confucius