CAUTIOUS

[cau.tious] adj (ca. 1640): marked by or given to caution -- cau.tious.ly adv -- cau.tious.ness n syn cautious, circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk. cautious implies the exercise of forethought usu. prompted by fear of danger "a cautious driver". circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding "circumspect in his business dealings". wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it "keeps a wary eye on the competition". chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely "chary of signing papers without having read them first".