Precarious — Pre*ca ri*ous, a. [L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See {Pray}.] 1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
precarious — [pri ker′ē əs] adj. [L precarius: see PRAYER1] 1. dependent upon the will or favor of another person 2. dependent upon circumstances; uncertain; insecure [a precarious living] 3. dependent upon chance; risky [a precarious foothold] 4 … English World dictionary
precarious — (adj.) 1640s, a legal word, held through the favor of another, from L. precarius obtained by asking or praying, from prex (gen. precis) entreaty, prayer (see PRAY (Cf. pray)). Notion of dependent on the will of another led to sense risky,… … Etymology dictionary
precarious — *dangerous, hazardous, perilous, risky Analogous words: *doubtful, dubious, questionable: distrustful, mistrustful (see corresponding verbs at DISTRUST): chance, chancy, haphazard, *random Contrasted words: *safe, secure: * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
precarious — [adj] tricky, doubtful ambiguous, borderline, chancy, contingent, dangerous, delicate, dicey*, dubious, dynamite, equivocal, hairy*, hanging by a thread*, hazardous, iffy*, impugnable, indecisive, insecure, loaded, on thin ice*, open, out on a… … New thesaurus
precarious — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not securely held or in position; likely to fall. 2) dependent on chance; uncertain. DERIVATIVES precariously adverb precariousness noun. ORIGIN Latin precarius obtained by entreaty , from prex prayer … English terms dictionary
precarious — [[t]prɪke͟əriəs[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED If your situation is precarious, you are not in complete control of events and might fail in what you are doing at any moment. Our financial situation had become precarious. ...the Government s precarious… … English dictionary
precarious — /prəˈkɛəriəs / (say pruh kairreeuhs) adjective 1. dependent on circumstances beyond one s control; uncertain; unstable; insecure: a precarious livelihood. 2. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will …
precarious — /prakeriyas/ Liable to be returned or rendered up at the mere demand or request of another; hence, held or retained only on sufferance or by permission; and, by an extension of meaning, doubtful, uncertain, dangerous, very liable to break, fail,… … Black's law dictionary
precarious — precariously, adv. precariousness, n. /pri kair ee euhs/, adj. 1. dependent on circumstances beyond one s control; uncertain; unstable; insecure: a precarious livelihood. 2. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or… … Universalium
