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Added 9 October 2026

precarious

/pɹɪˈkɛəɹi.əs/ adjective

In Latin: precarius Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about precarious at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Dangerously insecure or unstable; perilous.
Depending on the intention of another.

adjective

Relating to incipient caries.

Origin

From Latin precārius (“begged for, obtained by entreaty”), from prex, precis (“prayer”). Compare French précaire, Portuguese precário, and Spanish and Italian precario.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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