caveat

[ kav-ee-aht, -at, kah-vee-, key- ]

noun

1. a warning or caution:

   Before proceeding with the investment, he was given a caveat about potential risks and volatility in the stock market.

2. Law. a legal notice to a court or public officer to suspend a certain proceeding until the notifier is given a hearing:

   a caveat filed against the probate of a will.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to give a warning or caution (about information being presented):

   The authors of the paper caveated their findings with a reminder that further research would be necessary.

   Rather than hedging and caveating, I'll just say what I think.

caveat

/ ˈkeɪvɪˌæt; ˈkæv- /

noun

1. law a formal notice requesting the court or officer to refrain from taking some specified action without giving prior notice to the person lodging the caveat
2. a warning; caution

Other Words From

• ca·ve·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caveat¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin: “let him beware,” 3rd-person singular present subjunctive of cavēre “to take care”; caution

Word History and Origins

Origin of caveat¹

C16: from Latin, literally: let him beware

Example Sentences

These are the caveats that explain why Borthwick retains the full support of the Rugby Football Union.

From BBC

Regardless, AB 1494 is the law of the land, so feel free to take as many selfies as you please — with this caveat.

From Los Angeles Times

“It is easier to do business in a quiet and less transparent place. The caveat here is that we’re not doing business, we’re representing the public.”

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s a tangential connection there, but I don’t know the exact story,” McLeod caveats.

From Los Angeles Times

She adds a caveat, “but its power to help resolve conflicts is diminished.”

From BBC

Related Words

• admonition