different between precaution vs restraint

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

English

Etymology

From Middle English restreynte, from Old French restreinte; more at restrain.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???st?e?nt/

  Rhymes: -e?nt

Noun

restraint (countable and uncountable, plural restraints)

1. (countable) something that restrains, ties, fastens or secures

   Make sure all the restraints are tight.

2. (uncountable) control or caution; reserve

   Try to exercise restraint when talking to your boss.

   • November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk

     City will feel nonplussed when they review the tape and Pellegrini had to summon all his restraint in the post-match interviews.

Related terms

• constraint
• restrain
• restrict

Translations

Anagrams

• retransit