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Caution vs Vigilance - What's the difference?

caution | vigilance |

As nouns the difference between caution and vigilance

is that caution is precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction while vigilance is alert watchfulness.

As a verb caution

is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

caution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In way of caution I must tell you.
  • A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
  • Security; guaranty; bail.
  • * Clarendon
    • The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
  • One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
    • Oh, that boy, he's a caution ! He does make me laugh.
  • A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * err on the side of caution * throw caution to the wind

    Related terms

    * cautionary * cautious * caveat * precaution

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

    • Anagrams

    * ----

    vigilance

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • Alert watchfulness.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=8 , passage=I corralled the judge, and we started off across the fields, in no very mild state of fear of that gentleman's wife, whose vigilance was seldom relaxed. And thus we came by a circuitous route to Mohair, the judge occupied by his own guilty thoughts, and I by others not less disturbing.}}
  • Close and continuous attention.
  • * 1837 March 4, (Andrew Jackson), Farewell Address
    • But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.