[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

cautionary \cau"tionary\, 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

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

cautionary
     adj 1: tending to ward off; "the swastika...a very ancient
            prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples"-
            victor schultze syn: preventive, prophylactic
     2: serving to warn; "shook a monitory finger at him"; "an
        exemplary jail sentence" syn: admonitory, exemplary,
        monitory, warninga
see also:
preventive prophylactic admonitory exemplary monitory warninga 

Cautionary >> C Words
Cautionary, definition of term: Cautionary
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