bə̇ˈwa(a)(ə)r, bē-, -we(ə)r, -wa(a)ə, -weə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English been war, from been to be + war careful — more at be , ware
intransitive verb
1. : to be on one's guard : be cautious : take care — usually used with of or lest and now chiefly in imperative or infinitive
beware of straying into … absurdities — Manchester Guardian Weekly
2. obsolete : to have a special regard : pay heed
beware of him and obey his voice — Exod 23:21 (Authorized Version)
transitive verb
1. : to take care of : have a care for — now chiefly in imperative or infinitive
beware your pocketbook when he is around
2. : to be wary of — used chiefly in imperative or infinitive constructions
beware the exceedingly tenuous generalization — Matthew Lipman