Pre*cau"tion (?), n. [F. pr'ecation, 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.
J. H. Newman.
2.
A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.
© Webster 1913.
Pre*cau"tion, v. t. [Cf. F. pr'ecautionner.]
1.
To warn or caution beforehand.
Locke.
2.
To take precaution against.
[R.]
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.