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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary cir·cum·spect \\ˈsər-k əm-ˌspekt\\ adjective ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French circonspect, from Latin circumspectus, from past participle of circumspicere to look around, be cautious, from circum- + specere to look — more at spy
DATE 15th century
: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent diplomacy required a circumspect responseSynonyms: see cautious • cir·cum·spec·tion \\ˌsər-k əm-ˈspek-shən\\ noun• cir·cum·spect·ly \\ˈsər-k əm-ˌspek(t)-lē\\ adverb
circumspect
early 15c. (circumspection is attested from late 14c.), from L. circumspectus, pp. of circumspicere "look around, take heed," from circum- "around" + specere "to look" (see scope (1)).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 circumspectcir·cum·spect / 5sE:kEmspekt; NAmE 5sE:rk- / adjective ( formal)thinking very carefully about sth before doing it, because there may be risks involved 小心谨慎的；考虑周密的；慎重的 SYN cautious • cir·cum·spec·tion / 7sE:kEm5spekFn; NAmE 7sE:rk- / noun [U] • cir·cum·spect·ly adv.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged cir·cum·spect\ˈ ̷ ̷kəmzˌpekt, -mˌsp-, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ adjectiveEtymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French circonspect, from Latin circumspectus, past participle of circumspicere to look around, be cautious, from circum- + specere to look — more at circum- , spy : marked by caution and earnest attention to all significant circumstances and possible consequences of action (as action to be undertaken) and usually by prudence and discretion < a circumspect investor > < a circumspect action > < the wicked are always alert and circumspect — George Meredith >Synonyms: see cautious
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