See Also: septemvir(dictionary)

precarious (iou) and septemvir (iou)


precarious (iou)



precarious adjective. M17.
[from Latin precarius, from prec-, prex prayer, entreaty: see -ARIOUS. Cf. Old & mod. French precaire.]
a. Held at the pleasure of another; uncertain. M17.
Horace Walpole Though the tenure is precarious, I cannot help liking the situation for you. Anne Stevenson She would lose her husband, the chief prop of her precarious happiness.
b. Dependent on chance; insecure, unstable. L17.
A. S. Dale Gilbert..earned a precarious living for years. V. Brome At this stage he did not wish to undermine his precarious authority.
Assumed gratuitously; unfounded, doubtful. M17.
J. Martineau His mode of proof is precarious and unsatisfactory.
Suppliant, supplicating; importunate. M-L17.
Exposed to danger, risky. E18.
A. Kenny The German night raids..made life in Liverpool..a precarious affair.
precariously adverb in a precarious manner; esp. insecurely, unstably: M17.
precariousness noun L17.

septemvir (iou)



septemvir noun. . M18.
[Latin, sing. of septemviri, from septem seven + viri men.]
Each of a body of seven men associated in an official function.