cautionary

2 definitions found

cautionary - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cautionary \Cau"tion*a*ry\, a.
     1. Conveying a caution, or warning to avoid danger; as,
        cautionary signals.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Given as a pledge or as security.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He hated Barnevelt, for his getting the cautionary
              towns out of his hands.               --Bp. Burnet.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Wary; cautious. [Obs.] --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]

cautionary - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  cautionary
      adj 1: warding off; "the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic
             symbol occurring among all peoples"- Victor Schultze
             [syn: cautionary, prophylactic]
      2: serving to warn; "shook a monitory finger at him"; "an
         exemplary jail sentence" [syn: admonitory, cautionary,
         exemplary, monitory, warning(a)]