circumspect
cir·cum·spect
adj \ˈsər-kəm-ˌspekt\Definition of CIRCUMSPECT
: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent <diplomacy required a circumspect response>
— cir·cum·spec·tion \ˌsər-kəm-ˈspek-shən\ noun
— cir·cum·spect·ly \ˈsər-kəm-ˌspek(t)-lē\ adverb
See Examples of CIRCUMSPECT
- <she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse>
Origin of CIRCUMSPECT
Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French circonspect, from Latin circumspectus, from past participle of circumspicere to look around, be cautious, from circum- + specere to look — more at spy
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to CIRCUMSPECT
Related Words: advertent, attentive, awake, observant, regardful, vigilant, watchful; hypercautious; foresighted, foresightful, forethoughtful, provident, thoughtful; cagey (also cagy), calculating, canny, shrewd; deliberate, slow; ultracareful, ultracautious
Near Antonyms: bold, brash, impetuous, rash, reckless, venturesome; asleep, inattentive, regardless; inconsiderate, thoughtless; lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss; imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious; absentminded, forgetful; inadvertent, unintentional, unplanned
See Synonym Discussion at cautious
Rhymes with CIRCUMSPECT
acrolect, architect, birth defect, deselect, dialect, disaffect, disconnect, disinfect, disrespect, edge effect, genuflect, grapholect, incorrect, indirect, in effect, intellect, interject, intersect, introject, introspect, lake effect, misdirect, preselect, re-collect, recollect, redirect, reelect, resurrect, retrospect, self-respect, side effect, turtlenecked, vivisect
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