circumspection

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/ UK /ˌsɜːkəmˈspɛkʃən/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
wariness and prudence; careful consideration of consequences

He answered the reporter's questions with practiced circumspection.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · wariness and prudence;... caution prudence wariness care discretion vigilance

Opposites

rashness recklessness carelessness

Word family

Related forms circumspect inspect prospect

Etymology

From Latin circumspectio ('a looking around, caution'), from circumspicere ('to look around'), from circum ('around') + specere ('to look').

circum Latin specere Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# circumspection

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌsɜːkəmˈspɛkʃən/

## Meanings
1. wariness and prudence; careful consideration of consequences

## Examples
- He answered the reporter's questions with practiced circumspection.

## Synonyms
- caution
- prudence
- wariness
- care
- discretion
- vigilance

## Antonyms
- rashness
- recklessness
- carelessness

## Related Forms
- circumspect
- inspect
- prospect

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: circum
- Root: specere - to look at

## Etymology
From Latin circumspectio ('a looking around, caution'), from circumspicere ('to look around'), from circum ('around') + specere ('to look').

## AI Etymology
Circumspection is a noun meaning "wariness and prudence; careful consideration of consequences". Historically, it is from Latin circumspectio ('a looking around, caution'), from circumspicere ('to look around'), from circum ('around') + specere ('to look'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: circumspection is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin circum with Latin specere. Close English family members include circumspect, inspect, and prospect.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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