cautelare
precautionary
Origin: From Latin cautela (caution, security), from cavere (to beware).
Also means
to protect
Usage Note
Cautelare is primarily used as an adjective in legal and administrative language: misura cautelare (precautionary measure), arresto cautelare (preventive detention). As a verb (cautelare / cautelarsi) it means to protect or safeguard oneself, especially legally or financially: cautelarsi dal rischio (to protect oneself against risk). The reflexive form cautelarsi is more common in everyday use than the transitive form.
Examples
"Il giudice ha disposto una misura cautelare."
Natural Translation
The judge ordered a precautionary measure.

Building your Italian vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Italian by topic