Dictionary

cautel en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈkɔːtəl/

Etymology

From Latin cautēla, from cautus, past participle of caveō.

Meanings

1. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) deceit
   • Perhaps he loves you now, And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch The virtue of his will c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], pages 14-16:
2. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) caution; prudence; wariness
   • Here come institution, by your blasphemous sacrifice, in all cautels and provisions of the Mass a. 1589, William Fulke, Confutation of the Rhemish Testament:
3. (countable, uncountable) A traditional caution or written direction about the proper manner of administering the sacraments.

Forms

Deriveds

cautelous