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.

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).