Precaution vs Caution - What's the difference?
precaution | caution |
Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
* John Henry Newman
A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.
(transitive): To warn or caution beforehand. --.
(rare): To take precaution against. --.
Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
* Shakespeare
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
One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.
Caution is a related term of precaution.
In transitive terms the difference between precaution and caution
is that precaution is : To warn or caution beforehand. --Locke while caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.precaution
English
Noun
(en noun)- The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution .
- to take precautions against risks of accident
Derived terms
* precautionarySee also
* preventionVerb
(en verb)caution
English
Noun
(en noun)- In way of caution I must tell you.
- The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
- Oh, that boy, he's a caution ! He does make me laugh.