v. t. To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange. Masson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to pray. ] One who prays. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. precarius obtained by begging or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another, fr. precari to pray, beg. See Pray. ]
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n. [ L. precatio. ] The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. Cotton. [ 1913 Webster ]
Precatory words (Law),
n. [ F. précation, L. praecautio, fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae before + cavere be on one's guard. See Pre-, and Caution. ]
They [ ancient philosophers ] treasured up their supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. [ Cf. F. précautionner. ]
a. Precautionary. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions;
a. Taking or using precaution; precautionary. --