precaution

[Fr., from Lat. precautionem, acc. of precautio, from præ =before, and cautio =a caution (q.v.).] 1. Previous caution; caution or care taken beforehand to guard against danger or risk, or to insure succe . "The evils which had brought that kingdom to ruin might, it was said, have been averted by timely precau tion."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng ., ch. xiv. 2. A measure of caution taken beforehand to guard against danger or risk, or to insure succe ; as, to take precautions .