PRECARIOUS


Meaning of PRECARIOUS in English

— precariously , adv. — precariousness , n.

/pri kair"ee euhs/ , adj.

1. dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; unstable; insecure: a precarious livelihood.

2. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another: He held a precarious tenure under an arbitrary administration.

3. exposed to or involving danger; dangerous; perilous; risky: the precarious life of an underseas diver.

4. having insufficient, little, or no foundation: a precarious assumption.

[ 1640-50; precarius obtained by entreaty or mere favor, hence uncertain. See PRAYER 1 ]

Syn. 1. unsure, unsteady. See uncertain. 2. doubtful, dubious, unreliable, undependable. 3. hazardous. 4. groundless, baseless, unfounded.

Ant. 1. secure. 2. reliable. 3. safe. 4. well-founded.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .