Dictionary

cautelous en · ADJ

Etymology

From Middle French cauteleux.

Meanings

1. (obsolete) Skillful in trickery or deception; cunning, wily.
   • I am not able to unfold, how this cautelous enterprise of licencing can be exempted from the number of vain and impossible attempts. 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica:
   • The least touch of [Gaveston's] memory adds more to the King's affliction, who is fixt not to forget, or forgive, so bold and heinous a Trespass. The operations in the King were yet so powerful, but the jelousies of the Actors [who have killed Gaveston] are as cautelous, so fair a warning-piece bids them in time make good their own security. Lincoln, the principal Pillar of this Faction, follows his Adversary [Gaveston] to the Grave, but with a much fairer Fortune. c. 1620s, Elizabeth Cary [misattributed to Henry Cary], The History Of the most unfortunate Prince King Edward II. […] , London: A.G. and F. P., published 1680, page 12:
2. (obsolete) Cautious, careful.
   • Some are of disposition fearefull, some bold, most cautelous, all Savage. 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, Kupperman, published 1988, page 140:

Forms

Deriveds

incautelous

Relateds

cautel · cautelousness · cautelously