precarious etymology

Etymology:

The word "precarious" comes from the Late Latin word "precarius," meaning "obtained by request" or "dependent on the favor of another." It is derived from the verb "precari," meaning "to pray" or "to entreat."

Meaning:

The term "precarious" refers to something that is:

• Uncertain, unstable, or dangerous
• Insecure or risky
• Dependent on the whims or favor of others

Origin:

The word "precarius" was commonly used in Roman law to describe land that was held at the pleasure of the owner, rather than being owned outright. Such land was granted to individuals or groups for temporary use, often in exchange for favors or payments.

Over time, the meaning of "precarious" expanded to include any situation or object that was unstable, insecure, or dependent on external factors. It came to be used in a wide variety of contexts, from economics and politics to personal relationships.

Examples:

• The mountain climbers were in a precarious position, with loose rocks and steep drops on all sides.
• The company's financial situation was precarious, with dwindling sales and mounting debt.
• The peace treaty was precarious, as it relied on the goodwill of both sides and could easily be broken.

precarious relate terms

• deprecate

  Etymology Latin deprecārī meaning to pray against entreat avert Origin The

• deprecation

  Etymology The word deprecation is derived from the Latin word deprecatio which mean

• expostulate

  Etymology Latin expostulare meaning demand an explanation Proto Indo European eks

• imprecate

  Etymology Latin imprecor to pray against to curse Root prec to ask to beg w

• imprecation

  Etymology The word imprecation comes from the Latin word imprecātiónem accusative

• pray

  Etymology The word pray originates from the Old English word gebed which in turn com

• prayer

  Etymology The word prayer comes from the Middle English word preiere which in turn d

• precarious

  Etymology The word precarious comes from the Late Latin word precarius meaning obt

• precatory

  Meaning and Origin Precatory means expressing a request or desire without being legall

• prithee

  Etymology Middle English preye from Old English prēoþ cognate with Dutch prei pr

• perilous

  Etymology Late Latin periculosus dangerous from Latin periculum danger trial r

• doubtful

  Etymology The etymology of the word doubtful is uncertain It may derive from the Old F

• penny

  Etymology The word penny originates from the Old English word penig which is deriv

• laugh

  Etymology The word laugh comes from the Middle English word laghchen which in turn d

• corporation

  Etymology and Meaning of Corporation The term corporation originates from the Latin w

• brainstorm

  Etymology Origin Old Norse brainstormr Components brá brow forehead steinn

• stigma

  Etymology Greek stigma στίγμα Latin stigma Meaning A mark of disgrac

• elite

  Etymology The word elite comes from the French word élite which in turn comes from

• sacrifice

  Etymology The word sacrifice originates from the Latin word sacrificium which is der

• Saturday

  Etymology Saturday comes from the Old English word Sæternesdæg which is a translat