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Circumspect Chary Cautious Careful Implies Consequences Business Danger

Word circumspect
Date June 2, 2019
Type adjective
Syllables SER-kum-spekt
Etymology Circumspect, cautious, wary, and chary all imply looking before you leap, but each puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger. Circumspect, which descends from Latin circum- ("around") and specere ("to look"), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings"). Cautious suggests fear of danger and the exercise of forethought that it prompts (as in "a cautious driver"). Wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in sensing danger and cunning in escaping it (as in "keep a wary eye on the competition"). Chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely (as in "she is chary of signing papers without reading them first").
Examples "The response in several previously frozen markets for short-term financing was extremely positive, and stock investors were jubilant. However, the reaction in longer-term fixed income and commodities markets, especially for gold, has been more circumspect." — James C. Cooper, Business Week, 8 Oct. 2007

"… Churchill resisted the idea of Britain participating as a member of the European Community. He looked upon such entanglements as detrimental to the British Empire he loved. He was even circumspect of their membership in NATO." — Don Cassiday, The Sahuarita (Arizona) Sun, 30 Mar. 2019
Definition : careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent

Tags: wordoftheday::adjective

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