circumspect

Where does the word "circumspect" come from? It comes from Latin circumspicere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Circumspect’s story begins in Latin: circumspicere meant “to look around.” To look around, from circum- (around) and specere (to look). Within Latin, it grew into circumspectus by ancient. Cautious, watchful, from circumspicere. It reached English by 1400s as circumspect. Settled as the English word for being wary and careful about consequences. Today, circumspect means cautious and careful to consider all circumstances before acting.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient circumspicere "to look around", to look around, from circum- (around) and specere (to look).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient circumspectus "cautious, watchful", cautious, watchful, from circumspicere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s circumspect "wary and careful about consequences", settled as the English word for being wary and careful about consequences.