cautel

English

Etymology

Latin cautēla, from cautus, past participle of caveō.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɔːtəl/

Noun

cautel (countable and uncountable, plural cautels)

1. (obsolete) deceit
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], pages 14-16:

     Perhaps he loves you now,
     And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
     The virtue of his will

2. (obsolete) caution; prudence; wariness
   • a. 1589, William Fulke, Confutation of the Rhemish Testament:

     Here come institution, by your blasphemous sacrifice, in all cautels and provisions of the Mass

3. (Christianity) A traditional caution or written direction about the proper manner of administering the sacraments.

Derived terms

• cautelous