Word of the Day: CAVEAT

A caution or condition

caveat (noun) - a warning, qualification, or introduction to stipulations

• caveat emptor is a common Latin phrase meaning “Let the buyer beware.” It serves as a principle in commerce or common law doctrine that places the burden on buyers to perform due diligence before making a purchase

BREAKDOWN: Caveat comes directly from the Latin cavere meaning to beware; in fact, caveat is the form of the third person singular present subjunctive and translated as “let him beware.” This word is linked to the root CAU- meaning to observe or beware in words like caution and scavenger.

“When you finally start to write something, do not let yourself stop...even when you are convinced it's the worst garbage ever. This is the biggest caveat for beginning writers. Instead, force yourself to finish what you began, and THEN go back and edit it.” —Jodi Picoult

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily or obviously derived from classical roots.]