different between observation vs precaution

English

Etymology

From Middle English observacion, borrowed from Middle French observacion. Also a borrowing from French observation and a learned borrowing from Latin observ?ti?(n-).Morphologically observe +? -ation

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??bz??ve??(?)n/
• (General American) enPR: ?b'z?r-v??sh?n, -v?sh?n, IPA^(key): /??bz??ve???n/, /-?ve??n?/
• Rhymes: -e???n
• Hyphenation: ob?ser?va?tion

Noun

observation (countable and uncountable, plural observations)

1. The act of observing, and the fact of being observed (see observance)
2. The act of noting and recording some event; or the record of such noting.
3. A remark or comment.
   • 1734, Alexander Pope, Of the Knowledge and Characters of Men

     To observations which ourselves we make / We grow more partial for the observer's sake.

4. A judgement based on observing.
5. Performance of what is prescribed; adherence in practice; observance.
   • 1650, Jeremy Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living

     We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances.

6. A regime under which a subject is routinely observed.
7. Philosophically as: the phenomenal presence of human being existence.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

• observation on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin observ?ti?. Synchronically analysable as observer +? -ation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p.s??.va.sj??/

Noun

observation f (plural observations)

1. observation

Further reading

• “observation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Interlingua

Noun

observation (plural observationes)

1. observation (something that has been observed)
2. observation (act or process of observing)
3. observation (regime under which a subject is routinely observed)

English

Etymology

From French précaution, Latin praecautio, from praecavere, praecautum (“to guard against beforehand”); prae (“before”) + cavere (“be on one's guard”). See pre-, and caution.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?i??k????n/
• Hyphenation: pre?cau?tion

Noun

precaution (countable and uncountable, plural precautions)

1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent misfortune or to secure good
   • July 2, 1826, John Henry Newman, The Philosophical Temper, First Enjoined by the Gospel

     The ancient philosophers treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution.

2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act.

   to take precautions against risks of accident

Derived terms

• precautionary

Translations

See also

• prevention

Verb

precaution (third-person singular simple present precautions, present participle precautioning, simple past and past participle precautioned)

1. (transitive) To warn or caution beforehand.
2. (transitive, rare) To take precaution against.

Translations

Anagrams

• preauction, unoperatic