circumspect
adjective

- careful not to take risks

- careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences

- watchful and discreet, well considered

The Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster / Dictionary dot com

—
WORD ORIGIN

Circumspect derives from the Latin circumspicere, a combination of circum (around) and specere (to look). It entered English in the mid-16th century.

Thus, "circumspect" literally means "to look around". It implies being thoughtful, cautious and prudent in considering all circumstances before acting or making a decision.

Other words derived from Latin specere (to look) include:

- inspect = to look at or examine closely

- spectator =  one who looks on or watches

- spectacles = eyeglasses used to improve eyesight

- spectrum = a range of related things arranged by color, frequency, etc.

- speculate = to theorize or make a conjecture based on incomplete information

- perspicacious = having keen mental perception and understanding

—
CAUTIOUS QUOTES

"It is better to be too bold than to be too circumspect." (Niccolo Machiavelli)

"Better be safe than sorry." (English proverb)

"Look before you leap." (English proverb)

"Measure twice, cut once." (Carpentry proverb)

"When in doubt, don't." (Benjamin Franklin)

"When in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, 'do what’s right'.” (Donald Rumsfeld)

"Caution: Cape does not enable user to fly." (Batman costume tag)

—
SYNONYMS

all ears, alert, attentive, aware, cagey, canny, careful, chary, cautious, canny, chary, CIRCUMSPECT, discreet, discriminating, gingerly, guarded, heedful, judicious heedfulness, measured, meticulous, on guard, on one's toes (the ball), play safe, politic, prudent, restrained, safe, scrupulous, sensible, treading carefully, vigilant,  wary, watchful, weighing alternatives, well-considered

—
SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation, say something like:

“Honestly, how many of us are really CIRCUMSPECT when it comes to reading the terms and conditions of new software we want to install?”

—
HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations.

Every month, I spend evening and weekend hours with my family researching and writing your daily OWAD. It remains FREE, AD-free, and ALIVE thanks to voluntary donations from appreciative readers.

If you aren’t already, please also consider supporting us - even the equivalent of a single cup of coffee a month will help us cover mailing, site hosting, and maintenance costs. Just head over to DonorBox:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-5-3

or bank transfer to Paul Smith
IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40
stating your first name and last name and “OWAD donation” as the ‘Verwendungszweck’

Thank you,

Paul