circumspection

[ sur-kuhm-spek-shuhn ]

/ ˌsɜr kəmˈspɛk ʃən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumspection ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

circumspect observation or action; caution; prudence: He approached with circumspection.

Origin of circumspection

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin circumspectiōn- (stem of circumspectiō), equivalent to circumspect(us) circumspect + -iōn--ion

OTHER WORDS FROM circumspection

o·ver·cir·cum·spec·tion, noun

Words nearby circumspection

circumscribed scleroderma, circumscript, circumscription, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumstance, circumstanced, circumstantial, circumstantial evidence

Example sentences from the Web for circumspection

"You communicated with him by circumspection," says Judith Bruce, a Radcliffe student who dated him for two years.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon|Robert Sam Anson|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Supreme Court exists to interpret with a greater degree of circumspection the laws the legislature passes.
Readers Support Greater Supreme Court Transparency|Ryan Prior|March 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Wilson carried his circumspection further during and after the war.
Obama's Wilsonian Moment|John Milton Cooper, Jr.|December 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
So far from Russia assisting Naples, it may involve her, without the greatest care and circumspection, in total ruin.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. II. (of 2)|A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan

As regards one point, however, her circumspection prevailed, and she must be given due credit for it.
Washington Square|Henry James
The judgment and circumspection of Washington were never more severely put to the proof.
The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving|Washington Irving
Do nothing rashly; want of circumspection is the chief cause of failure and disaster.
Book of Wise Sayings|W. A. Clouston
Moreover His Majesty has always been modest, and does everything with circumspection.
The Fight For The Republic in China|Bertram Lenox Putnam Weale