precautionary
UK: prɪˈkɔːʃənəri | US: prɪˈkɔːʃəneri
adj. intended to prevent harm or trouble
adj. characterized by careful forethought
The word "precautionary" combines "precaution" (from Latin praecautio, meaning "a guarding beforehand") and the suffix "-ary" (from Latin -arius, forming adjectives). "Precaution" itself derives from prae- (before) + cavere (to guard or beware), reflecting the idea of proactive measures against potential risks. Over time, "precautionary" evolved to describe actions or policies designed to mitigate future dangers, emphasizing preventive logic.
The government issued precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus.
She took a precautionary step by installing a security system.
The team conducted precautionary tests before launching the product.
Precautionary warnings were broadcast ahead of the storm.
Wearing a helmet is a precautionary habit for cyclists.