CIRCUMSPECTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does circumspection mean? 

• CIRCUMSPECTION (noun)
  The noun CIRCUMSPECTION has 2 senses:

1. knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

2. the trait of being circumspect and prudent

  Familiarity information: CIRCUMSPECTION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CIRCUMSPECTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

circumspection; discreetness; discretion; prudence

Context example:

the servants showed great tact and discretion

Hypernyms ("circumspection" is a kind of...):

discernment; judgement; judgment; sagaciousness; sagacity (the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "circumspection"):

confidentiality (discretion in keeping secret information)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The trait of being circumspect and prudent

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

caution; circumspection

Hypernyms ("circumspection" is a kind of...):

discernment; discretion (the trait of judging wisely and objectively)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "circumspection"):

precaution (the trait of practicing caution in advance)

chariness; wariness (the trait of being cautious and watchful)

 Context examples 

The event has proved, that I was a cunning fool, providing with great circumspection for a possible opportunity of making myself contemptible and wretched for ever.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility and circumspection in future.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“And this,” said she, “is the end of all his friend's anxious circumspection! of all his sister's falsehood and contrivance! the happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

I walked with the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading on any stragglers who might remain in the streets, although the orders were very strict, that all people should keep in their houses, at their own peril.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The filth of his cooking was indescribable; and, as he cooked everything that was eaten aboard, I was compelled to select what I ate with great circumspection, choosing from the least dirty of his concoctions.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

If Jo had not been otherwise engaged, Laurie's behavior would have amused her, for a faint twinge, not of jealousy, but something like suspicion, caused that gentleman to stand aloof at first, and observe the newcomer with brotherly circumspection.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It is upon this account that the image of Justice, in their courts of judicature, is formed with six eyes, two before, as many behind, and on each side one, to signify circumspection; with a bag of gold open in her right hand, and a sword sheathed in her left, to show she is more disposed to reward than to punish.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

I honour your circumspection.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)