Pre‐cau″tion (?), n. [F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution.] 1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by precaution.
They treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. J. H. Newman.
2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions against accident.