Cau"tious (?), a. [Cf. L.
cautus, fr. caver. See Caution.]
Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of
acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent;
circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious
general.
Cautious feeling for another's pain.
Byron.
Be swift to hear; but cautious of your
tongue.
Watts.
Syn. -- Wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent; circumspect;
discreet; heedful; thoughtful; scrupulous; anxious; careful. --
Cautious, Wary, Circumspect. A man is
cautious who realizes the constant possibility of danger;
one may be wary, and yet bold and active; a man who is
circumspect habitually examines things on every side in
order to weigh and deliberate. It is necessary to be
cautious at all times; to be wary in cases of
extraordinary danger; to be circumspect in matters of
peculiar delicacy and difficulty.
