cautionary
adjUK /ˈkɔːʃənəɹi/ · US /ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/
Etymology Borrowed from Medieval Latin cautiōnārius.
1
Serving to caution or warn; admonitory
- Most parents were optimistic, but others sounded a cautionary note.
2
Serving to ward off; preventive
3
Obsolete Held as security or hostage
- Derived terms
- cautionary block, cautionary tale