— warner , n.
/wawrn/ , v.t.
1. to give notice, advice, or intimation to (a person, group, etc.) of danger, impending evil, possible harm, or anything else unfavorable: They warned him of a plot against him. She was warned that her life was in danger.
2. to urge or advise to be careful; caution: to warn a careless driver.
3. to admonish or exhort, as to action or conduct: She warned her employees to be on time.
4. to notify, advise, or inform: to warn a person of an intended visit.
5. to give notice to (a person, group, etc.) to go, keep at a distance, etc. (often fol. by away, off, etc.): A sign warns trespassers off the grounds. A marker warned boats away from the dock.
6. to give authoritative or formal notice to (someone); order; summon: to warn a person to appear in court.
v.i.
7. to give a warning; caution: to warn of further disasters.
[ bef. 1000; ME warnen, OE warnian; c. G warnen. Cf. WARE 2 ]
Syn. 1. forewarn. WARN, CAUTION, ADMONISH imply attempting to prevent another from running into danger or getting into unpleasant or undesirable circumstances. To WARN is to speak plainly and usually in strong terms: to warn him about danger and possible penalties. To CAUTION is to advise about necessary precautions, to put one on one's guard about possibly harmful circumstances or conditions, thus emphasizing avoidance of undesirable consequences: to caution him against driving in such weather. ADMONISH suggests giving earnest, authoritative advice with only tacit references to danger or penalty: to admonish a person for neglecting his duties.