Pre*cau"tion (?), n. [F. précation, 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.

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.

Pre*cau"tion, v. t. [Cf. F. précautionner.] 1. To warn or caution beforehand. Locke.

2. To take precaution against. [R.] Dryden.

• Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
       The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. --J. H. Newman.
  
• A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.
  
• (transitive): To warn or caution beforehand. --Locke.
  
• (transitive): To take precaution against. --Dryden.