circumspect

views updated May 23 2018

cir·cum·spect / ˈsərkəmˌspekt/ • adj. wary and unwilling to take risks: the officials were very circumspect in their statements.DERIVATIVES: cir·cum·spec·tion / ˌsərkəmˈspekshən/ n.cir·cum·spect·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

circumspect

views updated Jun 11 2018

circumspect XV. — L. circumspectus (of things) well considered, (of persons) considerate, cautious, pp. of circumspicere look round. f. CIRCUM- + specere look.
So circumspection circumspect action. XIV (rare before XVI).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

circumspect

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like