caveat (ka veat)

[L., let him beware; 3d pers. sing. pres. subj. of cavere, beware, take heed: see caution.] 1. In law, a notice filed or noted in a public office to prevent some proceeding being had except after warning to the caveator, or person making the caveat: as, a caveat filed with the probate court against the probate of a will. A caveat filed in the United States Patent Office by one who is engaged upon an invention entitles him to notice of any application for a patent for an interfering invention during one year, while he is perfecting his own. 2. Figuratively, intimation of caution; warning; admonition; hint. Let our bands take this caucat also, if the enemie retire, not to make any long pursuit after him. Hakluyt's Voyages , I. 63. To give a Caueat to al parents, how they might bring their children vp in vertue. Lyly, Euphues, Anat. of Wit, p. 122. In the midst of his prosperity, let him remember that caveat of Moses, "Beware that he do not forget the Lord his God." Burton , Anat. of Mel., p. 87. caveat (kā vē-at), v. i. [ caveat , n.] 1. To enter a caveat.-2. In fencing , to shift the sword from one side of an adversary's sword to the other.